51988 ÷ 9 = 5776 R4
Alright, let's work through the division of 51988 by 9 step by step.

Step 1:
9 goes into 5 0 times with a remainder of 5.
Write down 0 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 0
Subtract 0 from 5 to get 5.
Bring next digit (1) of the dividend behind the 5 and repeat the process: 51 / 9

Step 2:
9 goes into 51 5 times with a remainder of 6.
Write down 5 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 5
Subtract 45 from 51 to get 6.
Bring next digit (9) of the dividend behind the 6 and repeat the process: 69 / 9

Step 3:
9 goes into 69 7 times with a remainder of 6.
Write down 7 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 57
Subtract 63 from 69 to get 6.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 6 and repeat the process: 68 / 9

Step 4:
9 goes into 68 7 times with a remainder of 5.
Write down 7 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 577
Subtract 63 from 68 to get 5.
Bring next digit (8) of the dividend behind the 5 and repeat the process: 58 / 9

Step 5:
9 goes into 58 6 times with a remainder of 4.
Write down 6 as next digit of of the result. 
Result so far: 5776
Subtract 54 from 58 to get 4.

The final result is 5776 with a remainder of 4.