Finding the Third Proportional to 33,431 and 72,086.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   33,431 : 72,086.50 = 72,086.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   33,431/72,086.50 = 72,086.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   33,431x = 72,086.50 × 72,086.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   33,431x = 5,196,463,482.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,196,463,482.25/33,431
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 155,438.47