Finding the Third Proportional to 82,871 and 131,431

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   82,871 : 131,431 = 131,431 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   82,871/131,431 = 131,431/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   82,871x = 131,431 × 131,431
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   82,871x = 17,274,107,761
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 17,274,107,761/82,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 208,445.75