Finding the Third Proportional to 42,340 and 86,858

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42,340 : 86,858 = 86,858 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42,340/86,858 = 86,858/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42,340x = 86,858 × 86,858
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42,340x = 7,544,312,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,544,312,164/42,340
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 178,184.04