Finding the Third Proportional to 86,540 and 186,008

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,540 : 186,008 = 186,008 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,540/186,008 = 186,008/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,540x = 186,008 × 186,008
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,540x = 34,598,976,064
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,598,976,064/86,540
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 399,803.28