Finding the Third Proportional to 86,541 and 185,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,541 : 185,538 = 185,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,541/185,538 = 185,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,541x = 185,538 × 185,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,541x = 34,424,349,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,424,349,444/86,541
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 397,780.81