Finding the Third Proportional to 20,596 and 33,162

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,596 : 33,162 = 33,162 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,596/33,162 = 33,162/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,596x = 33,162 × 33,162
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,596x = 1,099,718,244
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,099,718,244/20,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 53,394.75