Finding the Third Proportional to 171,978 and 233,542

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   171,978 : 233,542 = 233,542 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   171,978/233,542 = 233,542/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   171,978x = 233,542 × 233,542
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   171,978x = 54,541,865,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 54,541,865,764/171,978
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 317,144.44