Finding the Third Proportional to 2,600.25 and 5,686.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,600.25 : 5,686.50 = 5,686.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,600.25/5,686.50 = 5,686.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,600.25x = 5,686.50 × 5,686.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,600.25x = 32,336,282.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 32,336,282.25/2,600.25
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 12,435.84