Finding the Third Proportional to 2,432.50 and 3,542

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,432.50 : 3,542 = 3,542 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,432.50/3,542 = 3,542/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,432.50x = 3,542 × 3,542
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,432.50x = 12,545,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 12,545,764/2,432.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 5,157.56