Finding the Third Proportional to 86.81 and 185.72

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   86.81 : 185.72 = 185.72 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   86.81/185.72 = 185.72/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   86.81x = 185.72 × 185.72
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   86.81x = 34,491.45
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 34,491.45/86.81
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 397.31