Finding the Third Proportional to 186.50 and 281.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   186.50 : 281.38 = 281.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   186.50/281.38 = 281.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   186.50x = 281.38 × 281.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   186.50x = 79,171.89
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 79,171.89/186.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 424.51