Finding the Third Proportional to 32,972 and 72,508

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,972 : 72,508 = 72,508 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,972/72,508 = 72,508/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,972x = 72,508 × 72,508
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,972x = 5,257,410,064
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,257,410,064/32,972
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159,450.75