Finding the Third Proportional to 72,686 and 159,196

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,686 : 159,196 = 159,196 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,686/159,196 = 159,196/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,686x = 159,196 × 159,196
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,686x = 25,343,366,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,343,366,416/72,686
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 348,669.16