Finding the Third Proportional to 32,856 and 72,272

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,856 : 72,272 = 72,272 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,856/72,272 = 72,272/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,856x = 72,272 × 72,272
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,856x = 5,223,241,984
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,223,241,984/32,856
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,973.76