Finding the Third Proportional to 1,285.50 and 2,046

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   1,285.50 : 2,046 = 2,046 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   1,285.50/2,046 = 2,046/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   1,285.50x = 2,046 × 2,046
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   1,285.50x = 4,186,116
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 4,186,116/1,285.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 3,256.41