Finding the Third Proportional to 20.78 and 32.17

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20.78 : 32.17 = 32.17 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20.78/32.17 = 32.17/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20.78x = 32.17 × 32.17
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20.78x = 1,034.78
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,034.78/20.78
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49.80