Finding the Third Proportional to 32,871 and 71,996

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,871 : 71,996 = 71,996 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,871/71,996 = 71,996/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,871x = 71,996 × 71,996
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,871x = 5,183,424,016
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,183,424,016/32,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157,689.88