Finding the Third Proportional to 40.27 and 86.86

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40.27 : 86.86 = 86.86 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40.27/86.86 = 86.86/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40.27x = 86.86 × 86.86
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40.27x = 7,544.55
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,544.55/40.27
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 187.37