Finding the Third Proportional to 32,986 and 72,021

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,986 : 72,021 = 72,021 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,986/72,021 = 72,021/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,986x = 72,021 × 72,021
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,986x = 5,187,024,441
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,187,024,441/32,986
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157,249.27