Finding the Third Proportional to 20,540 and 42,053.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,540 : 42,053.50 = 42,053.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,540/42,053.50 = 42,053.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,540x = 42,053.50 × 42,053.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,540x = 1,768,496,862.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,768,496,862.25/20,540
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,100.14