Finding the Third Proportional to 2,097 and 3,171.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,097 : 3,171.50 = 3,171.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,097/3,171.50 = 3,171.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,097x = 3,171.50 × 3,171.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,097x = 10,058,412.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 10,058,412.25/2,097
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 4,796.57