Finding the Third Proportional to 488.81 and 531.56

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   488.81 : 531.56 = 531.56 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   488.81/531.56 = 531.56/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   488.81x = 531.56 × 531.56
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   488.81x = 282,558.69
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 282,558.69/488.81
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 578.05