Finding the Third Proportional to 16,431 and 25,489.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,431 : 25,489.50 = 25,489.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,431/25,489.50 = 25,489.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,431x = 25,489.50 × 25,489.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,431x = 649,714,610.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 649,714,610.25/16,431
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 39,542.00