Finding the Third Proportional to 179.72 and 431.86

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   179.72 : 431.86 = 431.86 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   179.72/431.86 = 431.86/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   179.72x = 431.86 × 431.86
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   179.72x = 186,502.52
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 186,502.52/179.72
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 1,037.75