Finding the Third Proportional to 196.50 and 279.88

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   196.50 : 279.88 = 279.88 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   196.50/279.88 = 279.88/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   196.50x = 279.88 × 279.88
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   196.50x = 78,330.02
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 78,330.02/196.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 398.63