Finding the Third Proportional to 8,538.38 and 12,980.53

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,538.38 : 12,980.53 = 12,980.53 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,538.38/12,980.53 = 12,980.53/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,538.38x = 12,980.53 × 12,980.53
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,538.38x = 168,494,191.53
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 168,494,191.53/8,538.38
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 19,733.75