Finding the Third Proportional to 21,271 and 31,897

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   21,271 : 31,897 = 31,897 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   21,271/31,897 = 31,897/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   21,271x = 31,897 × 31,897
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   21,271x = 1,017,418,609
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,017,418,609/21,271
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 47,831.25