Why do you cross multiply and divide to solve Proportions?

since the cross multiples are equal, you find a product and use the inverse operation as you would in an equation

Example 4 is to 36 as 3 is to X: 4/36 = 3/X --> 4*X = 3*36. Divide both sides by 4, to solve for X = 27.

is over of = percent of 100

is/of=%/100

What is 10% of 40.

is = x

x/40 = 10/100

cross mulitply 40*10= 400/100=4 x=4