Finding the Third Proportional to 5,500.50 and 12,971.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,500.50 : 12,971.50 = 12,971.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,500.50/12,971.50 = 12,971.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,500.50x = 12,971.50 × 12,971.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,500.50x = 168,259,812.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 168,259,812.25/5,500.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 30,589.91