Finding the Third Proportional to 20,696 and 31,711

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,696 : 31,711 = 31,711 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,696/31,711 = 31,711/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,696x = 31,711 × 31,711
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,696x = 1,005,587,521
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,005,587,521/20,696
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 48,588.50