Finding the Third Proportional to 32,872 and 72,332

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,872 : 72,332 = 72,332 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,872/72,332 = 72,332/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,872x = 72,332 × 72,332
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,872x = 5,231,918,224
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,231,918,224/32,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159,160.33