Finding the Third Proportional to 73,539.75 and 158,743.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   73,539.75 : 158,743.50 = 158,743.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   73,539.75/158,743.50 = 158,743.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   73,539.75x = 158,743.50 × 158,743.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   73,539.75x = 25,199,498,792.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,199,498,792.25/73,539.75
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 342,665.00