Finding the Third Proportional to 72,344 and 158,696

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,344 : 158,696 = 158,696 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,344/158,696 = 158,696/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,344x = 158,696 × 158,696
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,344x = 25,184,420,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,184,420,416/72,344
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 348,120.38