Finding the Third Proportional to 72,978 and 159,672

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,978 : 159,672 = 159,672 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,978/159,672 = 159,672/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,978x = 159,672 × 159,672
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,978x = 25,495,147,584
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,495,147,584/72,978
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 349,353.88