Finding the Third Proportional to 86.50 and 178.25

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86.50 : 178.25 = 178.25 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86.50/178.25 = 178.25/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86.50x = 178.25 × 178.25
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86.50x = 31,773.06
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 31,773.06/86.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 367.32