1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$-3(x + 6) + 2(x - 1) - 2x - 8 = -4$$ for $x$. 2. **Apply the distributive property:** $$-3(x + 6) = -3x - 18$$ $$2(x - 1) = 2x - 2$$ So the equation becomes: $$-3x - 18 + 2x - 2 - 2x - 8 = -4$$ 3. **Combine like terms on the left side:** $$(-3x + 2x - 2x) + (-18 - 2 - 8) = -4$$ $$-3x + 2x - 2x = -3x$$ $$-18 - 2 - 8 = -28$$ So: $$-3x - 28 = -4$$ 4. **Isolate the variable term:** Add 28 to both sides: $$-3x - 28 + 28 = -4 + 28$$ $$-3x = 24$$ 5. **Solve for $x$ by dividing both sides by $-3$:** $$x = \frac{24}{\cancel{-3}} \times \frac{\cancel{-1}}{1} = -8$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$x = -8$$