Finding the Third Proportional to 31.96 and 72.77

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31.96 : 72.77 = 72.77 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31.96/72.77 = 72.77/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31.96x = 72.77 × 72.77
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31.96x = 5,295.97
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 5,295.97/31.96
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 165.72