Finding the Third Proportional to 20,158 and 42,557

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,158 : 42,557 = 42,557 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,158/42,557 = 42,557/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,158x = 42,557 × 42,557
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,158x = 1,811,098,249
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,811,098,249/20,158
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 89,845.14