Finding the Third Proportional to 38.31 and 78.88

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   38.31 : 78.88 = 78.88 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   38.31/78.88 = 78.88/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   38.31x = 78.88 × 78.88
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   38.31x = 6,221.27
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,221.27/38.31
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 162.38