Finding the Third Proportional to 72,003 and 159,988.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,003 : 159,988.50 = 159,988.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,003/159,988.50 = 159,988.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,003x = 159,988.50 × 159,988.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,003x = 25,596,320,132.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,596,320,132.25/72,003
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 355,489.63