Finding the Third Proportional to 32,871 and 72,042

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,871 : 72,042 = 72,042 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,871/72,042 = 72,042/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,871x = 72,042 × 72,042
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,871x = 5,190,049,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,190,049,764/32,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157,891.45