Finding the Third Proportional to 32,871 and 71,962

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,871 : 71,962 = 71,962 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,871/71,962 = 71,962/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,871x = 71,962 × 71,962
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,871x = 5,178,529,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,178,529,444/32,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157,540.98