Final answer:
To find y when x = 5 for a direct variation, first determine the constant of variation using given values, then apply this constant to the new x value to get y.
Step-by-step explanation:
If y varies directly as x, then the relationship between x and y can be described by the equation y = kx, where k is the constant of variation. Given that y = 1/4 when x = 3, we can find the constant of variation by plugging these values into the equation: 1/4 = k(3), which simplifies to k = 1/12. Now that we know the value of k, we can find y when x = 5 by using the equation y = (1/12)(5), which simplifies to y = 5/12. Therefore, when x = 5, y = 5/12.