Finding the Third Proportional to 39,972 and 87,144

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   39,972 : 87,144 = 87,144 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   39,972/87,144 = 87,144/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   39,972x = 87,144 × 87,144
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   39,972x = 7,594,076,736
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,594,076,736/39,972
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 189,984.91