Finding the Third Proportional to 86,872 and 188,696

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86,872 : 188,696 = 188,696 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86,872/188,696 = 188,696/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86,872x = 188,696 × 188,696
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86,872x = 35,606,180,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 35,606,180,416/86,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 409,869.47