Finding the Third Proportional to 86,042 and 184,540

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,042 : 184,540 = 184,540 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,042/184,540 = 184,540/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,042x = 184,540 × 184,540
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,042x = 34,055,011,600
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,055,011,600/86,042
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 395,795.21