Finding the Third Proportional to 16,609.50 and 25,734.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,609.50 : 25,734.38 = 25,734.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,609.50/25,734.38 = 25,734.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,609.50x = 25,734.38 × 25,734.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,609.50x = 662,258,056.64
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 662,258,056.64/16,609.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 39,872.25