1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$-4(1.75 + x) = 18$$ for $$x$$. 2. **Apply the distributive property:** Multiply $$-4$$ by each term inside the parentheses. $$-4 \times 1.75 + (-4) \times x = 18$$ 3. **Calculate the multiplication:** $$-7 - 4x = 18$$ 4. **Isolate the variable term:** Add $$7$$ to both sides to move constants to the right. $$-7 - 4x + 7 = 18 + 7$$ $$\cancel{-7} - 4x + \cancel{7} = 25$$ $$-4x = 25$$ 5. **Solve for $$x$$:** Divide both sides by $$-4$$. $$\frac{-4x}{-4} = \frac{25}{-4}$$ $$\cancel{-4}x / \cancel{-4} = -\frac{25}{4}$$ $$x = -\frac{25}{4}$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$x = -6.25$$