Finding the Third Proportional to 72.31 and 157.94

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72.31 : 157.94 = 157.94 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72.31/157.94 = 157.94/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72.31x = 157.94 × 157.94
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72.31x = 24,944.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,944.25/72.31
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 344.95