Finding the Third Proportional to 20,342 and 31,494

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,342 : 31,494 = 31,494 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,342/31,494 = 31,494/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,342x = 31,494 × 31,494
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,342x = 991,872,036
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 991,872,036/20,342
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 48,759.81