Finding the Third Proportional to 72,639 and 158,143

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,639 : 158,143 = 158,143 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,639/158,143 = 158,143/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,639x = 158,143 × 158,143
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,639x = 25,009,208,449
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,009,208,449/72,639
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 344,294.50