Finding the Third Proportional to 20,738 and 31,878

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,738 : 31,878 = 31,878 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,738/31,878 = 31,878/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,738x = 31,878 × 31,878
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,738x = 1,016,206,884
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,016,206,884/20,738
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49,002.16