1. **State the problem:** Simplify and understand the expression $-2x^2 + 80$. 2. **Identify the terms:** The expression consists of two terms: $-2x^2$ (a quadratic term) and $80$ (a constant). 3. **Factor the expression:** We can factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from both terms. $$-2x^2 + 80 = -2(x^2 - 40)$$ 4. **Explain the factoring:** Factoring means rewriting the expression as a product of factors. Here, $-2$ is factored out, leaving $x^2 - 40$ inside the parentheses. 5. **Final expression:** The simplified factored form is $$-2(x^2 - 40)$$ This is the simplest form unless further instructions are given (like solving for $x$ or evaluating).