Finding the Third Proportional to 32,426 and 71,656

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,426 : 71,656 = 71,656 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,426/71,656 = 71,656/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,426x = 71,656 × 71,656
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,426x = 5,134,582,336
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,134,582,336/32,426
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,347.69