Finding the Third Proportional to 42,342 and 86,862

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42,342 : 86,862 = 86,862 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42,342/86,862 = 86,862/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42,342x = 86,862 × 86,862
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42,342x = 7,545,007,044
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,545,007,044/42,342
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 178,192.03