Finding the Third Proportional to 40,042 and 86,276

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40,042 : 86,276 = 86,276 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40,042/86,276 = 86,276/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40,042x = 86,276 × 86,276
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40,042x = 7,443,548,176
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,443,548,176/40,042
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 185,893.52