Finding the Third Proportional to 3,256 and 5,038.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   3,256 : 5,038.50 = 5,038.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   3,256/5,038.50 = 5,038.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   3,256x = 5,038.50 × 5,038.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   3,256x = 25,386,482.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,386,482.25/3,256
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 7,796.83