Finding the Third Proportional to 34,542 and 73,986

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   34,542 : 73,986 = 73,986 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   34,542/73,986 = 73,986/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   34,542x = 73,986 × 73,986
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   34,542x = 5,473,928,196
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,473,928,196/34,542
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 158,471.66