1. The problem is to evaluate the expression $$-\sqrt{(3 - 9.69)^2}$$ given the numbers 0.144 and 9.69. 2. Recall the formula for the square root of a square: $$\sqrt{x^2} = |x|$$, which means the square root of a squared number is the absolute value of that number. 3. First, calculate the difference inside the parentheses: $$3 - 9.69 = -6.69$$ 4. Next, square this result: $$(-6.69)^2 = 44.7961$$ 5. Then, take the square root of the squared value: $$\sqrt{44.7961} = 6.69$$ 6. Since the square root returns the positive value, and the original expression has a negative sign in front, the final value is: $$-6.69$$ 7. Therefore, the value of the expression $$-\sqrt{(3 - 9.69)^2}$$ is $$-6.69$$.