Finding the Third Proportional to 38,978.50 and 85,377

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   38,978.50 : 85,377 = 85,377 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   38,978.50/85,377 = 85,377/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   38,978.50x = 85,377 × 85,377
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   38,978.50x = 7,289,232,129
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,289,232,129/38,978.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 187,006.48