Finding the Third Proportional to 40,401 and 85,986

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40,401 : 85,986 = 85,986 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40,401/85,986 = 85,986/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40,401x = 85,986 × 85,986
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40,401x = 7,393,592,196
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,393,592,196/40,401
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 183,005.18