Finding the Third Proportional to 42,571 and 86,358

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42,571 : 86,358 = 86,358 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42,571/86,358 = 86,358/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42,571x = 86,358 × 86,358
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42,571x = 7,457,704,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,457,704,164/42,571
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 175,182.73