$[$The following information applies to the questions displayed below.$]$

Financial information for Forever $18$ includes the following selected data:

$($$ in millions$)20242023$

Net income $$118$ $$182$

Dividends on preferred stock $$28$ $$23$

Average shares outstanding $200350$

Stock price $$11\mathrm{.}67$ $$10\mathrm{.}62$

Required:

$1-$a$.$ Calculate earnings per share in $2023$ and $2024.$

$1-$b$.$ Did earnings per share increase in $2024?$