Finding the Third Proportional to 35,996 and 73,432

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   35,996 : 73,432 = 73,432 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   35,996/73,432 = 73,432/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   35,996x = 73,432 × 73,432
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   35,996x = 5,392,258,624
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,392,258,624/35,996
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 149,801.61