Finding the Third Proportional to 21.71 and 31.86

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   21.71 : 31.86 = 31.86 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   21.71/31.86 = 31.86/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   21.71x = 31.86 × 31.86
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   21.71x = 1,014.94
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,014.94/21.71
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 46.74