Finding the Third Proportional to 72,440 and 158,488

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,440 : 158,488 = 158,488 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,440/158,488 = 158,488/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,440x = 158,488 × 158,488
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,440x = 25,118,446,144
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,118,446,144/72,440
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 346,748.29