Finding the Third Proportional to 72,974.50 and 158,340.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,974.50 : 158,340.50 = 158,340.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,974.50/158,340.50 = 158,340.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,974.50x = 158,340.50 × 158,340.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,974.50x = 25,071,713,940.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,071,713,940.25/72,974.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 343,568.15