Finding the Third Proportional to 72,900 and 158,432

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,900 : 158,432 = 158,432 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,900/158,432 = 158,432/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,900x = 158,432 × 158,432
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,900x = 25,100,698,624
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,100,698,624/72,900
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 344,316.85