Finding the Third Proportional to 32,878 and 72,316

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,878 : 72,316 = 72,316 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,878/72,316 = 72,316/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,878x = 72,316 × 72,316
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,878x = 5,229,603,856
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,229,603,856/32,878
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159,060.89