Finding the Third Proportional to 158,017.50 and 212,881.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   158,017.50 : 212,881.50 = 212,881.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   158,017.50/212,881.50 = 212,881.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   158,017.50x = 212,881.50 × 212,881.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   158,017.50x = 45,318,533,042.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 45,318,533,042.25/158,017.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 286,794.39