Finding the Third Proportional to 72,357 and 156,742

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,357 : 156,742 = 156,742 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,357/156,742 = 156,742/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,357x = 156,742 × 156,742
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,357x = 24,568,054,564
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,568,054,564/72,357
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 339,539.43