1. **State the problem:** There are 56 sheep in total, each either white or black. The number of white sheep is 6 times the number of black sheep. We need to find how many black sheep there are. 2. **Define variables:** Let $b$ be the number of black sheep. 3. **Express white sheep in terms of black sheep:** Since white sheep are 6 times black sheep, white sheep = $6b$. 4. **Write the total sheep equation:** Total sheep = white sheep + black sheep $$56 = 6b + b$$ 5. **Simplify the equation:** $$56 = 7b$$ 6. **Solve for $b$:** $$b = \frac{56}{7}$$ 7. **Cancel common factors:** $$b = \cancel{\frac{56}{7}} = 8$$ 8. **Answer:** There are 8 black sheep.