Finding the Third Proportional to 72,714 and 158,568

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,714 : 158,568 = 158,568 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,714/158,568 = 158,568/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,714x = 158,568 × 158,568
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,714x = 25,143,810,624
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,143,810,624/72,714
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 345,790.50