Finding the Third Proportional to 3,985.88 and 8,697.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   3,985.88 : 8,697.38 = 8,697.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   3,985.88/8,697.38 = 8,697.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   3,985.88x = 8,697.38 × 8,697.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   3,985.88x = 75,644,331.89
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 75,644,331.89/3,985.88
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 18,978.10