1. **State the problem:** Solve for $x$ in the equation $$9x - 7 = 2(x - 7)$$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Expand the right side: $$9x - 7 = 2x - 14$$ 3. **Isolate variable terms:** Subtract $2x$ from both sides: $$9x - 2x - 7 = -14$$ which simplifies to $$7x - 7 = -14$$ 4. **Isolate the constant term:** Add $7$ to both sides: $$7x = -14 + 7$$ $$7x = -7$$ 5. **Solve for $x$:** Divide both sides by $7$: $$x = \frac{-7}{7}$$ $$x = -1$$ **Final answer:** $$x = -1$$