Finding the Third Proportional to 40.34 and 86.85

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40.34 : 86.85 = 86.85 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40.34/86.85 = 86.85/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40.34x = 86.85 × 86.85
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40.34x = 7,543.53
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,543.53/40.34
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 186.99