1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$3(3x + 2) - 7(3x + 2) = -20$$ for $x$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply each term inside the parentheses by the factors outside. $$3(3x + 2) = 9x + 6$$ $$-7(3x + 2) = -21x - 14$$ So the equation becomes: $$9x + 6 - 21x - 14 = -20$$ 3. **Combine like terms:** $$9x - 21x + 6 - 14 = -20$$ $$-12x - 8 = -20$$ 4. **Isolate the variable term:** Add 8 to both sides. $$-12x - 8 + 8 = -20 + 8$$ $$-12x = -12$$ 5. **Solve for $x$ by dividing both sides by $-12$:** $$x = \frac{-12}{-12}$$ $$x = 1$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{1}$$ The solution to the equation is $x = 1$.