Finding the Third Proportional to 178,257 and 278,320.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   178,257 : 278,320.50 = 278,320.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   178,257/278,320.50 = 278,320.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   178,257x = 278,320.50 × 278,320.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   178,257x = 77,462,300,720.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 77,462,300,720.25/178,257
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 434,554.05