To solve the problem using the equation \( b \times 8 + 25 = 500 \), we first need to isolate the variable \( b \).
Here’s how the operations break down:
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Subtract 25 from both sides: This operation is necessary to account for the beads Niel bought after making the necklaces.
\[ b \times 8 = 500 - 25 \]
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Division: After calculating \( 500 - 25 \), we will divide by 8 to find the number of beads he started with.
Thus, the operations needed are subtraction and division.
Therefore, the correct response is subtraction and division.