Finding the Third Proportional to 85,538 and 185,836

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   85,538 : 185,836 = 185,836 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   85,538/185,836 = 185,836/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   85,538x = 185,836 × 185,836
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   85,538x = 34,535,018,896
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,535,018,896/85,538
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 403,738.91