Finding the Third Proportional to 14.50 and 16.31

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   14.50 : 16.31 = 16.31 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   14.50/16.31 = 16.31/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   14.50x = 16.31 × 16.31
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   14.50x = 266.10
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 266.10/14.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 18.35