In y = mx + c, the letter c represents the: Gradient (b) Slope (c) X-intercept If two lines are parallel, their slopes satisfy: m₁m₂ = 1 (b) m₁ + m₂ = 0 (c) m₁m₂ = -1

The general equation of a circle is given by $x^2 + y^2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0$. The center of the circle $(h, k)$ can be found using the formulas $h = -\frac{D}{2}$ and $k = -\frac{E}{2}$.

The given equation is $x^2 + y^2 + 8x - 6y - 9 = 0$.
Comparing this to the general form, we have $D = 8$ and $E = -6$.

Substitute the values of $D$ and $E$ into the formulas for $h$ and $k$:

Thus, the center of the circle is $(-4, 3)$.

The calculated center $(-4, 3)$ corresponds to option (b).

The center of the circle is $\boxed{(-4, 3)}$.