1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$\frac{x + 3}{8} = -2$$ for $x$. 2. **Formula and rules:** To solve for $x$, we need to isolate $x$ on one side of the equation. Since $x + 3$ is divided by 8, we can multiply both sides by 8 to cancel the denominator. 3. **Multiply both sides by 8:** $$8 \times \frac{x + 3}{8} = 8 \times (-2)$$ This simplifies to: $$\cancel{8} \times \frac{x + 3}{\cancel{8}} = -16$$ 4. **Simplify:** $$x + 3 = -16$$ 5. **Isolate $x$ by subtracting 3 from both sides:** $$x + 3 - 3 = -16 - 3$$ $$x = -19$$ **Final answer:** $$x = -19$$