Finding the Third Proportional to 42.71 and 56.48

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42.71 : 56.48 = 56.48 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42.71/56.48 = 56.48/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42.71x = 56.48 × 56.48
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42.71x = 3,189.82
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 3,189.82/42.71
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 74.68