If y varies directly as x and y = 144 when x = 12, what is the value of y when x = 17?

Direct variation means y = kx for a constant k. Using y = 144 when x = 12 gives k = 144 ÷ 12 = 12, so when x = 17, y = 12 × 17 = 204. The correct choice is b, 204.

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