Finding the Third Proportional to 32,871 and 72,294

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,871 : 72,294 = 72,294 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,871/72,294 = 72,294/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,871x = 72,294 × 72,294
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,871x = 5,226,422,436
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,226,422,436/32,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,997.97