Finding the Third Proportional to 72,696 and 158,893.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,696 : 158,893.50 = 158,893.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,696/158,893.50 = 158,893.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,696x = 158,893.50 × 158,893.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,696x = 25,247,144,342.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,247,144,342.25/72,696
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 347,297.57