Finding the Third Proportional to 7,789.50 and 16,686.42

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   7,789.50 : 16,686.42 = 16,686.42 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   7,789.50/16,686.42 = 16,686.42/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   7,789.50x = 16,686.42 × 16,686.42
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   7,789.50x = 278,436,674.99
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 278,436,674.99/7,789.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 35,745.13