1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(2 - i)(3 - i)$$ where $i$ is the imaginary unit with the property $i^2 = -1$. 2. **Use the distributive property (FOIL method):** $$(2 - i)(3 - i) = 2 \times 3 + 2 \times (-i) - i \times 3 - i \times (-i)$$ 3. **Calculate each term:** $$2 \times 3 = 6$$ $$2 \times (-i) = -2i$$ $$-i \times 3 = -3i$$ $$-i \times (-i) = +i^2$$ 4. **Substitute $i^2 = -1$:** $$+i^2 = -1$$ 5. **Combine all terms:** $$6 - 2i - 3i - 1 = (6 - 1) + (-2i - 3i) = 5 - 5i$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$(2 - i)(3 - i) = 5 - 5i$$