Finding the Third Proportional to 20,143 and 42,686

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,143 : 42,686 = 42,686 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,143/42,686 = 42,686/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,143x = 42,686 × 42,686
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,143x = 1,822,094,596
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,822,094,596/20,143
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 90,457.96