Finding the Third Proportional to 138.23 and 196.45

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   138.23 : 196.45 = 196.45 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   138.23/196.45 = 196.45/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   138.23x = 196.45 × 196.45
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   138.23x = 38,593.83
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 38,593.83/138.23
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 279.19