1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $\frac{-2x - 5y}{6}$. 2. **Formula and rules:** When you have a fraction with a sum or difference in the numerator, you can write it as the sum or difference of two fractions: $$\frac{a + b}{c} = \frac{a}{c} + \frac{b}{c}$$ 3. **Apply the rule:** $$\frac{-2x - 5y}{6} = \frac{-2x}{6} - \frac{5y}{6}$$ 4. **Simplify each term:** $$\frac{-2x}{6} = -\frac{2}{6}x = -\frac{1}{3}x$$ $$\frac{5y}{6}$$ stays the same because 5 and 6 have no common factors. 5. **Final simplified expression:** $$-\frac{1}{3}x - \frac{5}{6}y$$ This is the simplified form of the original expression.