Finding the Third Proportional to 32,621 and 71,986

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,621 : 71,986 = 71,986 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,621/71,986 = 71,986/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,621x = 71,986 × 71,986
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,621x = 5,181,984,196
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,181,984,196/32,621
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,854.24