Finding the Third Proportional to 8,531 and 12,502

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,531 : 12,502 = 12,502 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,531/12,502 = 12,502/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,531x = 12,502 × 12,502
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,531x = 156,300,004
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 156,300,004/8,531
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 18,321.42