Finding the Third Proportional to 2,588 and 3,696

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,588 : 3,696 = 3,696 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,588/3,696 = 3,696/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,588x = 3,696 × 3,696
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,588x = 13,660,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 13,660,416/2,588
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 5,278.37