Finding the Third Proportional to 72,816 and 158,442

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,816 : 158,442 = 158,442 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,816/158,442 = 158,442/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,816x = 158,442 × 158,442
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,816x = 25,103,867,364
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,103,867,364/72,816
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 344,757.57