Finding the Third Proportional to 38,458.50 and 79,978.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   38,458.50 : 79,978.50 = 79,978.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   38,458.50/79,978.50 = 79,978.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   38,458.50x = 79,978.50 × 79,978.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   38,458.50x = 6,396,560,462.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,396,560,462.25/38,458.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 166,323.71