Step 1: Formula / Definition}
\[
\text{Projection} = \frac{\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b}}{|\mathbf{b}|}
\]
Step 2: Calculation / Simplification}
\(\mathbf{a} = (x, -1, 1)\), \(\mathbf{b} = (2, -1, 5)\)
\(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = 2x + 1 + 5 = 2x + 6\)
\(|\mathbf{b}| = \sqrt{4 + 1 + 25} = \sqrt{30}\)
\(\frac{2x+6}{\sqrt{30}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{30}} \Rightarrow 2x + 6 = 1\)
\(2x = -5 \Rightarrow x = -\frac{5}{2}\)
Step 3: Final Answer
\[
-\frac{5}{2}
\]