Finding the Third Proportional to 20,842 and 42,534

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,842 : 42,534 = 42,534 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,842/42,534 = 42,534/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,842x = 42,534 × 42,534
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,842x = 1,809,141,156
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,809,141,156/20,842
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,802.67