Finding the Third Proportional to 32,981 and 72,496

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,981 : 72,496 = 72,496 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,981/72,496 = 72,496/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,981x = 72,496 × 72,496
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,981x = 5,255,670,016
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,255,670,016/32,981
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159,354.48