Finding the Third Proportional to 158.50 and 281.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   158.50 : 281.50 = 281.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   158.50/281.50 = 281.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   158.50x = 281.50 × 281.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   158.50x = 79,242.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 79,242.25/158.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 499.95