Finding the Third Proportional to 40,298.50 and 86,544.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40,298.50 : 86,544.50 = 86,544.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40,298.50/86,544.50 = 86,544.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40,298.50x = 86,544.50 × 86,544.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40,298.50x = 7,489,950,480.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,489,950,480.25/40,298.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 185,861.77