1. **State the problem:** Simplify and solve the expression $$\frac{8.988 \times 10^9 \times (-7.8 \times 10^{-12}) \times 5.3 \times 10^{-6}}{0.35}$$. 2. **Recall the rules:** When multiplying numbers in scientific notation, multiply the coefficients and add the exponents of 10. 3. **Multiply the coefficients:** $$8.988 \times (-7.8) \times 5.3 = 8.988 \times (-7.8) = -70.1064; \quad -70.1064 \times 5.3 = -371.56392$$ 4. **Add the exponents:** $$10^9 \times 10^{-12} \times 10^{-6} = 10^{9 + (-12) + (-6)} = 10^{-9}$$ 5. **Combine the results:** $$-371.56392 \times 10^{-9} = -3.7156392 \times 10^{-7}$$ (adjusting the decimal to proper scientific notation). 6. **Divide by 0.35:** $$\frac{-3.7156392 \times 10^{-7}}{0.35} = -1.0615969 \times 10^{-6}$$ 7. **Final answer:** $$-1.06 \times 10^{-6}$$ (rounded to three significant figures).