Finding the Third Proportional to 20,972 and 32,188

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,972 : 32,188 = 32,188 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,972/32,188 = 32,188/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,972x = 32,188 × 32,188
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,972x = 1,036,067,344
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,036,067,344/20,972
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 49,402.41