Finding the Third Proportional to 542.81 and 1,314.56

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   542.81 : 1,314.56 = 1,314.56 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   542.81/1,314.56 = 1,314.56/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   542.81x = 1,314.56 × 1,314.56
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   542.81x = 1,728,074.57
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,728,074.57/542.81
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 3,183.56