Finding the Third Proportional to 2,142 and 2,578.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,142 : 2,578.50 = 2,578.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,142/2,578.50 = 2,578.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,142x = 2,578.50 × 2,578.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,142x = 6,648,662.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,648,662.25/2,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 3,103.95