Finding the Third Proportional to 72,886 and 158,408

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,886 : 158,408 = 158,408 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,886/158,408 = 158,408/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,886x = 158,408 × 158,408
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,886x = 25,093,094,464
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,093,094,464/72,886
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 344,278.66