Finding the Third Proportional to 32,781 and 72,258

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,781 : 72,258 = 72,258 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,781/72,258 = 72,258/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,781x = 72,258 × 72,258
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,781x = 5,221,218,564
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,221,218,564/32,781
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159,275.76