Finding the Third Proportional to 20,438 and 31,659

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,438 : 31,659 = 31,659 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,438/31,659 = 31,659/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,438x = 31,659 × 31,659
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,438x = 1,002,292,281
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,002,292,281/20,438
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49,040.62