Finding the Third Proportional to 20,384 and 42,072

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,384 : 42,072 = 42,072 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,384/42,072 = 42,072/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,384x = 42,072 × 42,072
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,384x = 1,770,053,184
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,770,053,184/20,384
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,835.42