Finding the Third Proportional to 20,844 and 42,471

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,844 : 42,471 = 42,471 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,844/42,471 = 42,471/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,844x = 42,471 × 42,471
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,844x = 1,803,785,841
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,803,785,841/20,844
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,537.41