1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $-5c - 4c + ab + 10$ given $c=2$ and $d=4$. Note that $d$ is not present in the expression, so it will not affect the simplification. 2. **Substitute the value of $c$:** Replace $c$ with 2 in the expression: $$-5(2) - 4(2) + ab + 10$$ 3. **Calculate the products:** $$-10 - 8 + ab + 10$$ 4. **Combine like terms:** $$(-10 - 8 + 10) + ab = (-8) + ab$$ 5. **Final simplified expression:** $$ab - 8$$ Since $a$ and $b$ are not given values, the expression remains in terms of $ab$. **Answer:** $ab - 8$