Finding the Third Proportional to 86,538 and 185,532

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,538 : 185,532 = 185,532 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,538/185,532 = 185,532/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,538x = 185,532 × 185,532
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,538x = 34,422,123,024
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,422,123,024/86,538
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 397,768.88