Finding the Third Proportional to 32,858 and 72,276

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,858 : 72,276 = 72,276 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,858/72,276 = 72,276/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,858x = 72,276 × 72,276
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,858x = 5,223,820,176
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,223,820,176/32,858
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,981.68