Finding the Third Proportional to 32,978 and 72,520

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,978 : 72,520 = 72,520 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,978/72,520 = 72,520/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,978x = 72,520 × 72,520
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,978x = 5,259,150,400
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,259,150,400/32,978
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159,474.51