Finding the Third Proportional to 8,872 and 12,039

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,872 : 12,039 = 12,039 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,872/12,039 = 12,039/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,872x = 12,039 × 12,039
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,872x = 144,937,521
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 144,937,521/8,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 16,336.51