Finding the Third Proportional to 40.71 and 86.80

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   40.71 : 86.80 = 86.80 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   40.71/86.80 = 86.80/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   40.71x = 86.80 × 86.80
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   40.71x = 7,534.38
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,534.38/40.71
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 185.07