Finding the Third Proportional to 72,970.50 and 158,396

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,970.50 : 158,396 = 158,396 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,970.50/158,396 = 158,396/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,970.50x = 158,396 × 158,396
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,970.50x = 25,089,292,816
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,089,292,816/72,970.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 343,827.89