Finding the Third Proportional to 78,865 and 172,997

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   78,865 : 172,997 = 172,997 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   78,865/172,997 = 172,997/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   78,865x = 172,997 × 172,997
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   78,865x = 29,927,962,009
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 29,927,962,009/78,865
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 379,483.45