Finding the Third Proportional to 72,972 and 159,656

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,972 : 159,656 = 159,656 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,972/159,656 = 159,656/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,972x = 159,656 × 159,656
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,972x = 25,490,038,336
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,490,038,336/72,972
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 349,312.59