To simplify the expression \( 2(-5x - 6) \), we can use the distributive property, which states that \( a(b + c) = ab + ac \).
Applying this to the expression:
\[ 2(-5x - 6) = 2 \cdot (-5x) + 2 \cdot (-6) \]
Calculating each term separately:
- \( 2 \cdot (-5x) = -10x \)
- \( 2 \cdot (-6) = -12 \)
Now combine these results:
\[ 2(-5x - 6) = -10x - 12 \]
Thus, the expression equivalent to \( 2(-5x - 6) \) is:
\[ -10x - 12 \]