Finding the Third Proportional to 45.50 and 86.88

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   45.50 : 86.88 = 86.88 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   45.50/86.88 = 86.88/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   45.50x = 86.88 × 86.88
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   45.50x = 7,547.27
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 7,547.27/45.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 165.87