Finding the Third Proportional to 40,238 and 86,950

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40,238 : 86,950 = 86,950 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40,238/86,950 = 86,950/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40,238x = 86,950 × 86,950
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40,238x = 7,560,302,500
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,560,302,500/40,238
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 187,889.62