Finding the Third Proportional to 86,256 and 185,472

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,256 : 185,472 = 185,472 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,256/185,472 = 185,472/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,256x = 185,472 × 185,472
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,256x = 34,399,862,784
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,399,862,784/86,256
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 398,811.25