Finding the Third Proportional to 86,248 and 185,096

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,248 : 185,096 = 185,096 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,248/185,096 = 185,096/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,248x = 185,096 × 185,096
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,248x = 34,260,529,216
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,260,529,216/86,248
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 397,232.74