Finding the Third Proportional to 72,138 and 158,114

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,138 : 158,114 = 158,114 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,138/158,114 = 158,114/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,138x = 158,114 × 158,114
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,138x = 25,000,036,996
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,000,036,996/72,138
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 346,558.50