Finding the Third Proportional to 78,738 and 171,972

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   78,738 : 171,972 = 171,972 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   78,738/171,972 = 171,972/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   78,738x = 171,972 × 171,972
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   78,738x = 29,574,368,784
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 29,574,368,784/78,738
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 375,604.78