Finding the Third Proportional to 31.88 and 71.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31.88 : 71.38 = 71.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31.88/71.38 = 71.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31.88x = 71.38 × 71.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31.88x = 5,094.39
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,094.39/31.88
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 159.82