Finding the Third Proportional to 35,908 and 78,872

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   35,908 : 78,872 = 78,872 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   35,908/78,872 = 78,872/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   35,908x = 78,872 × 78,872
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   35,908x = 6,220,792,384
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,220,792,384/35,908
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 173,242.52