1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $$21 = 3x - 3$$ for $$x$$. 2. **Add 3 to both sides** to isolate the term with $$x$$: $$21 + 3 = 3x - 3 + 3$$ $$24 = 3x$$ 3. **Divide both sides by 3** to solve for $$x$$: $$\frac{24}{3} = \frac{3x}{3}$$ $$\cancel{\frac{24}{3}} = \cancel{\frac{3x}{3}}$$ $$8 = x$$ 4. **Final answer:** $$x = 8$$