Finding the Third Proportional to 81,996 and 178,422

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   81,996 : 178,422 = 178,422 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   81,996/178,422 = 178,422/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   81,996x = 178,422 × 178,422
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   81,996x = 31,834,410,084
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 31,834,410,084/81,996
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 388,243.45