Finding the Third Proportional to 40.05 and 86.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40.05 : 86.50 = 86.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40.05/86.50 = 86.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40.05x = 86.50 × 86.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40.05x = 7,481.83
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,481.83/40.05
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 186.83