Finding the Third Proportional to 20,542 and 42,057

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,542 : 42,057 = 42,057 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,542/42,057 = 42,057/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,542x = 42,057 × 42,057
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,542x = 1,768,791,249
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,768,791,249/20,542
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,106.09