Finding the Third Proportional to 172,316.50 and 257,442

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   172,316.50 : 257,442 = 257,442 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   172,316.50/257,442 = 257,442/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   172,316.50x = 257,442 × 257,442
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   172,316.50x = 66,276,383,364
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 66,276,383,364/172,316.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 384,620.06