1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$\frac{2}{3}(21x + 15) + 7 + 8 + 3x + 1$$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply $$\frac{2}{3}$$ by each term inside the parentheses: $$\frac{2}{3} \times 21x = 14x$$ $$\frac{2}{3} \times 15 = 10$$ So the expression becomes: $$14x + 10 + 7 + 8 + 3x + 1$$ 3. **Combine like terms:** - Combine the $$x$$ terms: $$14x + 3x = 17x$$ - Combine the constants: $$10 + 7 + 8 + 1 = 26$$ 4. **Write the simplified expression:** $$17x + 26$$ **Final answer:** $$17x + 26$$