Finding the Third Proportional to 23,685 and 31,597.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   23,685 : 31,597.50 = 31,597.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   23,685/31,597.50 = 31,597.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   23,685x = 31,597.50 × 31,597.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   23,685x = 998,402,006.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 998,402,006.25/23,685
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 42,153.35