Finding the Third Proportional to 32,601 and 71,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,601 : 71,538 = 71,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,601/71,538 = 71,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,601x = 71,538 × 71,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,601x = 5,117,685,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,117,685,444/32,601
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 156,979.40