Finding the Third Proportional to 20,536 and 42,480

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,536 : 42,480 = 42,480 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,536/42,480 = 42,480/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,536x = 42,480 × 42,480
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,536x = 1,804,550,400
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,804,550,400/20,536
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 87,872.54