Finding the Third Proportional to 174,942 and 278,500

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   174,942 : 278,500 = 278,500 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   174,942/278,500 = 278,500/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   174,942x = 278,500 × 278,500
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   174,942x = 77,562,250,000
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 77,562,250,000/174,942
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 443,359.80