Finding the Third Proportional to 72,516 and 158,316

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,516 : 158,316 = 158,316 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,516/158,316 = 158,316/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,516x = 158,316 × 158,316
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,516x = 25,063,955,856
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,063,955,856/72,516
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 345,633.46