Finding the Third Proportional to 8,742 and 12,981

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,742 : 12,981 = 12,981 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,742/12,981 = 12,981/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,742x = 12,981 × 12,981
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,742x = 168,506,361
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 168,506,361/8,742
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 19,275.49