Finding the Third Proportional to 20,596 and 31,866

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,596 : 31,866 = 31,866 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,596/31,866 = 31,866/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,596x = 31,866 × 31,866
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,596x = 1,015,441,956
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,015,441,956/20,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49,302.87