Finding the Third Proportional to 20,536 and 31,861

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,536 : 31,861 = 31,861 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,536/31,861 = 31,861/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,536x = 31,861 × 31,861
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,536x = 1,015,123,321
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,015,123,321/20,536
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49,431.40