Finding the Third Proportional to 3,971.50 and 8,471.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   3,971.50 : 8,471.50 = 8,471.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   3,971.50/8,471.50 = 8,471.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   3,971.50x = 8,471.50 × 8,471.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   3,971.50x = 71,766,312.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 71,766,312.25/3,971.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 18,070.33