Finding the Third Proportional to 72,911 and 159,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,911 : 159,538 = 159,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,911/159,538 = 159,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,911x = 159,538 × 159,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,911x = 25,452,373,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,452,373,444/72,911
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 349,088.25