Finding the Third Proportional to 20,659.50 and 42,542

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,659.50 : 42,542 = 42,542 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,659.50/42,542 = 42,542/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,659.50x = 42,542 × 42,542
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,659.50x = 1,809,821,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,809,821,764/20,659.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 87,602.40