To solve this problem using the equation b/8 + 25 = 500, you need to follow these steps:
1. Set up the equation: Start with the variable b for the number of beads Niel started with. Divide b by 8 because he uses them to make 8 identical necklaces. Then add 25, the number of additional beads he buys at the store. Finally, set the equation equal to 500, which represents the total number of beads he ends up with.
Equation: b/8 + 25 = 500
2. Solve for b: To find the value of b, you need to isolate the variable on one side of the equation. Start by subtracting 25 from both sides to get rid of this term. This will give you b/8 = 500 - 25, which simplifies to b/8 = 475.
Equation after subtraction: b/8 = 475
3. Multiply both sides by 8: Since b is divided by 8, multiply both sides of the equation by 8 to cancel out the division and solve for b.
Equation after multiplication: 8 * (b/8) = 8 * 475
Simplified equation: b = 3800
Therefore, Niel started with 3800 beads.