Finding the Third Proportional to 32,862 and 71,271

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,862 : 71,271 = 71,271 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,862/71,271 = 71,271/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,862x = 71,271 × 71,271
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,862x = 5,079,555,441
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,079,555,441/32,862
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 154,572.32