Finding the Third Proportional to 40.31 and 86.81

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40.31 : 86.81 = 86.81 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40.31/86.81 = 86.81/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40.31x = 86.81 × 86.81
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40.31x = 7,536.41
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,536.41/40.31
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 186.95