Finding the Third Proportional to 32,868 and 72,284

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,868 : 72,284 = 72,284 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,868/72,284 = 72,284/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,868x = 72,284 × 72,284
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,868x = 5,224,976,656
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,224,976,656/32,868
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,968.50