Finding the Third Proportional to 40,396 and 86,408

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40,396 : 86,408 = 86,408 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40,396/86,408 = 86,408/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40,396x = 86,408 × 86,408
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40,396x = 7,466,342,464
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,466,342,464/40,396
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 184,828.76