Finding the Third Proportional to 20,543 and 31,685.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,543 : 31,685.50 = 31,685.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,543/31,685.50 = 31,685.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,543x = 31,685.50 × 31,685.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,543x = 1,003,970,910.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,003,970,910.25/20,543
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 48,871.68