Finding the Third Proportional to 72,858.50 and 157,196

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,858.50 : 157,196 = 157,196 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,858.50/157,196 = 157,196/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,858.50x = 157,196 × 157,196
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,858.50x = 24,710,582,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,710,582,416/72,858.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 339,158.54