Finding the Third Proportional to 20,462 and 42,742

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,462 : 42,742 = 42,742 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,462/42,742 = 42,742/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,462x = 42,742 × 42,742
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,462x = 1,826,878,564
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,826,878,564/20,462
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 89,281.52