Finding the Third Proportional to 72,396 and 157,256

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,396 : 157,256 = 157,256 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,396/157,256 = 157,256/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,396x = 157,256 × 157,256
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,396x = 24,729,449,536
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,729,449,536/72,396
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 341,585.85