Finding the Third Proportional to 20,242 and 31,688

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,242 : 31,688 = 31,688 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,242/31,688 = 31,688/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,242x = 31,688 × 31,688
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,242x = 1,004,129,344
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,004,129,344/20,242
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49,606.23