Finding the Third Proportional to 538 and 587.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   538 : 587.50 = 587.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   538/587.50 = 587.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   538x = 587.50 × 587.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   538x = 345,156.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 345,156.25/538
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 641.55