1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$18 + 3(3x - 6)$$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply 3 by each term inside the parentheses. $$18 + 3 \times 3x - 3 \times 6$$ 3. **Calculate the products:** $$18 + 9x - 18$$ 4. **Combine like terms:** The constants 18 and -18 cancel each other out. $$\cancel{18} + 9x - \cancel{18} = 9x$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$9x$$