<|system|>
The expression $3y^2-y-24$ can be written as $(3y + a)(y + b),$ where $a$ and $b$ are integers. What is $a - b$?</s>.
<|user|>
Can you answer based on context?
<|assistant|>
We see that $3y^2-y-24 = (3y + 8)(y - 3)$, thus $a = 8$ and $b = -3$. Hence, $a - b = 11.$