Finding the Third Proportional to 35,742 and 78,540

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   35,742 : 78,540 = 78,540 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   35,742/78,540 = 78,540/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   35,742x = 78,540 × 78,540
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   35,742x = 6,168,531,600
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,168,531,600/35,742
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 172,584.96