Finding the Third Proportional to 20,686 and 31,641

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,686 : 31,641 = 31,641 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,686/31,641 = 31,641/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,686x = 31,641 × 31,641
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,686x = 1,001,152,881
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,001,152,881/20,686
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 48,397.61