1. **State the problem:** Multiply and simplify the expression $$56 \left( \frac{x}{7} + \frac{7}{8} \right)$$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply 56 by each term inside the parentheses: $$56 \times \frac{x}{7} + 56 \times \frac{7}{8}$$ 3. **Simplify each multiplication:** - For the first term: $$56 \times \frac{x}{7} = \frac{56}{7} \times x = 8x$$ - For the second term: $$56 \times \frac{7}{8} = \frac{56}{\cancel{8}} \times \frac{7}{\cancel{8}} = 7 \times 7 = 49$$ 4. **Combine the simplified terms:** $$8x + 49$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$8x + 49$$