Verified Answer :

If a varies directly as b:
a = k b
28 = 7 k
k = 28 : 7 = 4
When a = 5:
5 = 4 b
b = 5 : 4
b = 1.25

Answer:

Value of b = \(\frac{5}{4}\) =1.25.

Step-by-step explanation:

Direct Variation states that a relationship  between two variables in which one is a constant multiple of the other.

if one variable changes the other changes in proportion to the first.

If a is directly proportional to b i.e,  

\(a \propto b\) then it is of the form

a = kb     ;where k is constant variation.  

Given: a varies directly as b;

then, by definition of direct variation;

we have;

\(a = kb\)             .....[1]

Substitute the value of a =28 and b =7 to solve for k;

\(28 = k(7)\)

Divide both sides by 7 we have;

\(\frac{28}{7}=\frac{7k}{7}\)

Simplify:

k =4

now, find b using same method when a =5;

then;

after substituting the value of a = 5 and k=4 in [1] ;

\(5=(4)b\)

Divide by 4 to both sides we get;

\(b =\frac{5}{4}\)

Therefore, the value of b = \(\frac{5}{4}\) =1.25