Finding the Third Proportional to 5,900.50 and 8,540

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,900.50 : 8,540 = 8,540 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,900.50/8,540 = 8,540/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,900.50x = 8,540 × 8,540
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,900.50x = 72,931,600
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 72,931,600/5,900.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 12,360.24