1. **Problem 1:** Solve the equation $$-52 = 8(x + 3)$$ for $$x$$. 2. **Step 1:** Distribute the 8 on the right side: $$-52 = 8x + 24$$ 3. **Step 2:** Subtract 24 from both sides to isolate terms with $$x$$: $$-52 - 24 = 8x$$ $$-76 = 8x$$ 4. **Step 3:** Divide both sides by 8 to solve for $$x$$: $$x = \frac{-76}{8} = -9.5$$ 5. **Problem 2:** Solve the equation $$4(x - 6) + 5x = 12$$ for $$x$$. 6. **Step 1:** Distribute the 4: $$4x - 24 + 5x = 12$$ 7. **Step 2:** Combine like terms: $$9x - 24 = 12$$ 8. **Step 3:** Add 24 to both sides: $$9x = 12 + 24$$ $$9x = 36$$ 9. **Step 4:** Divide both sides by 9: $$x = \frac{36}{9} = 4$$