1. The problem is to evaluate the expression $9 + (-197)$. 2. This is an addition problem involving a positive number and a negative number. The rule is to subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and take the sign of the number with the larger absolute value. 3. Calculate the absolute values: $|9| = 9$ and $|-197| = 197$. 4. Since $197 > 9$, subtract $9$ from $197$: $$197 - 9 = 188$$ 5. The sign of the result is negative because $-197$ has the larger absolute value. 6. Therefore, the final answer is $-188$.