Finding the Third Proportional to 73,487.25 and 158,638.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   73,487.25 : 158,638.50 = 158,638.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   73,487.25/158,638.50 = 158,638.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   73,487.25x = 158,638.50 × 158,638.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   73,487.25x = 25,166,173,682.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,166,173,682.25/73,487.25
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 342,456.33