Finding the Third Proportional to 2,871 and 5,035.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,871 : 5,035.50 = 5,035.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,871/5,035.50 = 5,035.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,871x = 5,035.50 × 5,035.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,871x = 25,356,260.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,356,260.25/2,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 8,831.86