Finding the Third Proportional to 9,600 and 12,972

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   9,600 : 12,972 = 12,972 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   9,600/12,972 = 12,972/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   9,600x = 12,972 × 12,972
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   9,600x = 168,272,784
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 168,272,784/9,600
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 17,528.42