Finding the Third Proportional to 1,042.78 and 2,281.31

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   1,042.78 : 2,281.31 = 2,281.31 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   1,042.78/2,281.31 = 2,281.31/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   1,042.78x = 2,281.31 × 2,281.31
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   1,042.78x = 5,204,386.72
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,204,386.72/1,042.78
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 4,990.87