Finding the Third Proportional to 32,872 and 71,966

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,872 : 71,966 = 71,966 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,872/71,966 = 71,966/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,872x = 71,966 × 71,966
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,872x = 5,179,105,156
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,179,105,156/32,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157,553.70