Finding the Third Proportional to 20,381 and 42,031

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,381 : 42,031 = 42,031 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,381/42,031 = 42,031/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,381x = 42,031 × 42,031
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,381x = 1,766,604,961
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,766,604,961/20,381
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,679.01