Finding the Third Proportional to 16,431.25 and 25,742

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,431.25 : 25,742 = 25,742 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,431.25/25,742 = 25,742/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,431.25x = 25,742 × 25,742
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,431.25x = 662,650,564
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 662,650,564/16,431.25
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 40,328.68