Finding the Third Proportional to 131,431 and 185,972

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   131,431 : 185,972 = 185,972 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   131,431/185,972 = 185,972/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   131,431x = 185,972 × 185,972
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   131,431x = 34,585,584,784
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,585,584,784/131,431
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 263,146.33