Finding the Third Proportional to 72.62 and 158.04

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72.62 : 158.04 = 158.04 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72.62/158.04 = 158.04/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72.62x = 158.04 × 158.04
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72.62x = 24,978.20
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 24,978.20/72.62
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 343.98