Finding the Third Proportional to 8,606 and 16,238

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,606 : 16,238 = 16,238 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,606/16,238 = 16,238/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,606x = 16,238 × 16,238
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,606x = 263,672,644
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 263,672,644/8,606
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 30,638.23