Finding the Third Proportional to 20,498 and 31,656

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,498 : 31,656 = 31,656 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,498/31,656 = 31,656/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,498x = 31,656 × 31,656
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,498x = 1,002,102,336
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,002,102,336/20,498
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 48,887.81