# 24 more than the quotient of b and 2 is 8.  Solve for b.

The quotient of b and 2 is a little ambiguous because division does not have a commutative property.  `b-:2!=2-:b` I will solve it for each possibility.

The order of b and 2 implies that the quotient is the quotient of `b-:2` We are told that 24 more than that quotient is 8.  From this clue we can formulate the following number sentence:
`(b-:2)+24=8` We subtract 24 from each side of the equation and we get `b-:2=-16` We multiply each side by 2 and we find b=-32.

If they meant the quotient of `2-:b` then our number sentence is:
`(2-:b)+24=8` Again we subtract 24 from each side to get `2-:b=-16` We multiply each side by b and we get `2=-16b` We divide both sides by -16 and `b=-1/8`

The first solution is more likely but both fit the question.

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Translating the statement into a math equation, we have:

(b/2) + 24 = 8

So, we would subtract 24 from each side

b/2 = -16

Then, multiply by 2

b = -32

Approved by eNotes Editorial Team