Finding the Third Proportional to 34,431 and 72,997

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   34,431 : 72,997 = 72,997 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   34,431/72,997 = 72,997/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   34,431x = 72,997 × 72,997
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   34,431x = 5,328,562,009
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,328,562,009/34,431
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 154,760.59