Finding the Third Proportional to 82,286 and 178,972

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   82,286 : 178,972 = 178,972 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   82,286/178,972 = 178,972/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   82,286x = 178,972 × 178,972
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   82,286x = 32,030,976,784
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 32,030,976,784/82,286
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 389,263.99