1. **Stating the problem:** Simplify the expression $$\frac{-10x^2 - 40x^2}{2x^2 - 8x}$$. 2. **Combine like terms in the numerator:** $$-10x^2 - 40x^2 = -50x^2$$ 3. **Rewrite the expression:** $$\frac{-50x^2}{2x^2 - 8x}$$ 4. **Factor the denominator:** $$2x^2 - 8x = 2x(x - 4)$$ 5. **Rewrite the expression with factored denominator:** $$\frac{-50x^2}{2x(x - 4)}$$ 6. **Simplify the fraction by canceling common factors:** $$\frac{-50\cancel{x}x}{2\cancel{x}(x - 4)} = \frac{-50x}{2(x - 4)}$$ 7. **Simplify the coefficients:** $$\frac{-50x}{2(x - 4)} = \frac{\cancel{-50}^{25}x}{\cancel{2}^1(x - 4)} = \frac{-25x}{x - 4}$$ **Final answer:** $$\boxed{\frac{-25x}{x - 4}}$$