Finding the Third Proportional to 71,996 and 158,308

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   71,996 : 158,308 = 158,308 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   71,996/158,308 = 158,308/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   71,996x = 158,308 × 158,308
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   71,996x = 25,061,422,864
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,061,422,864/71,996
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 348,094.66