1. **State the problem:** Use the distributive property to remove the parentheses in the expression $$2c^5(6c^2 - 4)$$ and simplify the result. 2. **Recall the distributive property:** For any terms $a$, $b$, and $c$, $$a(b - c) = ab - ac$$. 3. **Apply the distributive property:** Multiply $2c^5$ by each term inside the parentheses: $$2c^5 \times 6c^2 - 2c^5 \times 4$$ 4. **Multiply coefficients and variables:** $$2 \times 6 = 12$$ For the variables, use the rule $$c^m \times c^n = c^{m+n}$$: $$c^5 \times c^2 = c^{5+2} = c^7$$ So the first term becomes: $$12c^7$$ 5. **Multiply the second term:** $$2c^5 \times 4 = 8c^5$$ 6. **Write the simplified expression:** $$12c^7 - 8c^5$$ **Final answer:** $$12c^7 - 8c^5$$