Sure thing, let's get straight to it. We start with 997 and we're going to multiply it by 9, which means adding 997 to itself 9 times.
Step 1: 0 + 997 = 997
Step 2: 997 + 997 = 1994
Step 3: 1994 + 997 = 2991
Step 4: 2991 + 997 = 3988
Step 5: 3988 + 997 = 4985
Step 6: 4985 + 997 = 5982
Step 7: 5982 + 997 = 6979
Step 8: 6979 + 997 = 7976
Step 9: 7976 + 997 = 8973

So, 997*9 = 8973