Finding the Third Proportional to 256.50 and 397.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   256.50 : 397.50 = 397.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   256.50/397.50 = 397.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   256.50x = 397.50 × 397.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   256.50x = 158,006.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 158,006.25/256.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 616.01