Finding the Third Proportional to 72,021 and 156,957

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,021 : 156,957 = 156,957 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,021/156,957 = 156,957/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,021x = 156,957 × 156,957
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,021x = 24,635,499,849
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,635,499,849/72,021
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 342,059.95