Finding the Third Proportional to 20,140 and 42,871

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,140 : 42,871 = 42,871 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,140/42,871 = 42,871/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,140x = 42,871 × 42,871
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,140x = 1,837,922,641
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,837,922,641/20,140
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 91,257.33