Finding the Third Proportional to 72,728 and 158,596

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,728 : 158,596 = 158,596 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,728/158,596 = 158,596/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,728x = 158,596 × 158,596
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,728x = 25,152,691,216
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,152,691,216/72,728
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 345,846.05