Finding the Third Proportional to 32,497 and 71,196

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,497 : 71,196 = 71,196 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,497/71,196 = 71,196/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,497x = 71,196 × 71,196
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,497x = 5,068,870,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,068,870,416/32,497
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 155,979.64