Finding the Third Proportional to 2,572 and 3,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,572 : 3,538 = 3,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,572/3,538 = 3,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,572x = 3,538 × 3,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,572x = 12,517,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 12,517,444/2,572
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 4,866.81