Finding the Third Proportional to 20,609 and 42,197

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,609 : 42,197 = 42,197 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,609/42,197 = 42,197/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,609x = 42,197 × 42,197
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,609x = 1,780,586,809
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,780,586,809/20,609
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,398.51