Finding the Third Proportional to 1,281 and 1,996.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   1,281 : 1,996.50 = 1,996.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   1,281/1,996.50 = 1,996.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   1,281x = 1,996.50 × 1,996.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   1,281x = 3,986,012.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 3,986,012.25/1,281
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 3,111.64