Finding the Third Proportional to 72,688 and 159,254

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,688 : 159,254 = 159,254 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,688/159,254 = 159,254/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,688x = 159,254 × 159,254
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,688x = 25,361,836,516
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,361,836,516/72,688
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 348,913.67