1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(-8) \times \left(\frac{1}{8} \times x\right) \times (-9)$$. 2. **Recall the rules:** Multiplication is associative and commutative, so we can rearrange and group terms as needed. 3. **Rewrite the expression:** $$(-8) \times \frac{1}{8} \times x \times (-9)$$ 4. **Multiply the constants first:** $$(-8) \times \frac{1}{8} = \cancel{-8} \times \frac{1}{\cancel{8}} = -1$$ 5. **Now the expression is:** $$-1 \times x \times (-9)$$ 6. **Multiply the remaining constants:** $$-1 \times (-9) = 9$$ 7. **Final simplified expression:** $$9x$$ **Answer: D. 9x**