Finding the Third Proportional to 32,872 and 71,997.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,872 : 71,997.50 = 71,997.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,872/71,997.50 = 71,997.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,872x = 71,997.50 × 71,997.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,872x = 5,183,640,006.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,183,640,006.25/32,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157,691.65