Finding the Third Proportional to 32.86 and 72.05

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32.86 : 72.05 = 72.05 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32.86/72.05 = 72.05/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32.86x = 72.05 × 72.05
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32.86x = 5,190.75
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,190.75/32.86
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 157.97