Finding the Third Proportional to 40,264 and 86,996

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40,264 : 86,996 = 86,996 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40,264/86,996 = 86,996/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40,264x = 86,996 × 86,996
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40,264x = 7,568,304,016
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,568,304,016/40,264
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 187,967.02