Finding the Third Proportional to 142.38 and 200.31

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   142.38 : 200.31 = 200.31 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   142.38/200.31 = 200.31/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   142.38x = 200.31 × 200.31
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   142.38x = 40,125.10
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 40,125.10/142.38
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 281.83