Finding the Third Proportional to 72,142 and 157,406

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,142 : 157,406 = 157,406 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,142/157,406 = 157,406/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,142x = 157,406 × 157,406
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,142x = 24,776,648,836
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,776,648,836/72,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 343,442.78