Finding the Third Proportional to 142.38 and 162.88

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   142.38 : 162.88 = 162.88 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   142.38/162.88 = 162.88/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   142.38x = 162.88 × 162.88
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   142.38x = 26,528.27
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 26,528.27/142.38
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 186.33