Finding the Third Proportional to 72,881 and 159,262

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,881 : 159,262 = 159,262 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,881/159,262 = 159,262/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,881x = 159,262 × 159,262
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,881x = 25,364,384,644
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,364,384,644/72,881
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 348,024.65