Finding the Third Proportional to 139.50 and 261.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   139.50 : 261.38 = 261.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   139.50/261.38 = 261.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   139.50x = 261.38 × 261.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   139.50x = 68,316.89
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 68,316.89/139.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 489.73