Finding the Third Proportional to 72,657 and 156,981

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,657 : 156,981 = 156,981 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,657/156,981 = 156,981/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,657x = 156,981 × 156,981
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,657x = 24,643,034,361
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,643,034,361/72,657
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 339,169.44