Finding the Third Proportional to 2,609 and 3,617.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,609 : 3,617.50 = 3,617.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,609/3,617.50 = 3,617.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,609x = 3,617.50 × 3,617.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,609x = 13,086,306.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 13,086,306.25/2,609
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 5,015.83