Finding the Third Proportional to 20,604 and 42,187

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,604 : 42,187 = 42,187 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,604/42,187 = 42,187/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,604x = 42,187 × 42,187
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,604x = 1,779,742,969
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,779,742,969/20,604
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,378.52