Finding the Third Proportional to 196.50 and 342.75

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   196.50 : 342.75 = 342.75 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   196.50/342.75 = 342.75/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   196.50x = 342.75 × 342.75
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   196.50x = 117,477.56
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 117,477.56/196.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 597.85