Finding the Third Proportional to 74,488.50 and 159,642

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   74,488.50 : 159,642 = 159,642 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   74,488.50/159,642 = 159,642/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   74,488.50x = 159,642 × 159,642
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   74,488.50x = 25,485,568,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 25,485,568,164/74,488.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 342,140.98