Finding the Third Proportional to 23,688 and 31,603.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   23,688 : 31,603.50 = 31,603.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   23,688/31,603.50 = 31,603.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   23,688x = 31,603.50 × 31,603.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   23,688x = 998,781,212.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 998,781,212.25/23,688
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 42,164.02