Finding the Third Proportional to 342 and 488.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   342 : 488.50 = 488.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   342/488.50 = 488.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   342x = 488.50 × 488.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   342x = 238,632.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 238,632.25/342
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 697.76