Finding the Third Proportional to 142.73 and 196.88

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   142.73 : 196.88 = 196.88 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   142.73/196.88 = 196.88/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   142.73x = 196.88 × 196.88
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   142.73x = 38,759.77
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 38,759.77/142.73
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 271.55