Finding the Third Proportional to 20,509 and 31,686

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,509 : 31,686 = 31,686 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,509/31,686 = 31,686/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,509x = 31,686 × 31,686
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,509x = 1,004,002,596
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,004,002,596/20,509
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 48,954.24