Finding the Third Proportional to 158,071.50 and 281,056.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   158,071.50 : 281,056.50 = 281,056.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   158,071.50/281,056.50 = 281,056.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   158,071.50x = 281,056.50 × 281,056.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   158,071.50x = 78,992,756,192.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 78,992,756,192.25/158,071.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 499,728.01