Finding the Third Proportional to 86,871 and 188,402

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,871 : 188,402 = 188,402 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,871/188,402 = 188,402/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,871x = 188,402 × 188,402
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,871x = 35,495,313,604
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 35,495,313,604/86,871
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 408,597.96