Finding the Third Proportional to 2,572.50 and 3,986.75

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,572.50 : 3,986.75 = 3,986.75 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,572.50/3,986.75 = 3,986.75/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,572.50x = 3,986.75 × 3,986.75
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,572.50x = 15,894,175.56
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 15,894,175.56/2,572.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 6,178.49