Finding the Third Proportional to 16,588 and 25,685.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,588 : 25,685.50 = 25,685.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,588/25,685.50 = 25,685.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,588x = 25,685.50 × 25,685.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,588x = 659,744,910.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 659,744,910.25/16,588
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 39,772.42