Finding the Third Proportional to 20,171 and 31,816

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,171 : 31,816 = 31,816 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,171/31,816 = 31,816/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,171x = 31,816 × 31,816
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,171x = 1,012,257,856
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,012,257,856/20,171
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 50,183.82