1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(9 - 4) \times (-2) + (-6) \div 6 - (-9) \times 8$$. 2. **Apply order of operations (PEMDAS):** - First, solve inside parentheses. - Then multiplication and division from left to right. - Finally, addition and subtraction from left to right. 3. **Calculate inside parentheses:** $$9 - 4 = 5$$ 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $$5 \times (-2) + (-6) \div 6 - (-9) \times 8$$ 5. **Perform multiplication and division from left to right:** - Multiply: $$5 \times (-2) = -10$$ - Divide: $$(-6) \div 6 = -1$$ - Multiply: $$-(-9) \times 8 = 9 \times 8 = 72$$ 6. **Rewrite the expression with these results:** $$-10 + (-1) - (-72)$$ 7. **Simplify the subtraction of a negative number:** $$-10 - 1 + 72$$ 8. **Perform addition and subtraction from left to right:** $$-10 - 1 = -11$$ $$-11 + 72 = 61$$ **Final answer:** $$61$$