Finding the Third Proportional to 34,542 and 71,540

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   34,542 : 71,540 = 71,540 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   34,542/71,540 = 71,540/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   34,542x = 71,540 × 71,540
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   34,542x = 5,117,971,600
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,117,971,600/34,542
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 148,166.63