Finding the Third Proportional to 72,981 and 158,733

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,981 : 158,733 = 158,733 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,981/158,733 = 158,733/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,981x = 158,733 × 158,733
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,981x = 25,196,165,289
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,196,165,289/72,981
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 345,242.81