Finding the Third Proportional to 72,872 and 158,128

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,872 : 158,128 = 158,128 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,872/158,128 = 158,128/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,872x = 158,128 × 158,128
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,872x = 25,004,464,384
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,004,464,384/72,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 343,128.56