Simplify the expression. Assume no denominator is equal to 0 \[ \frac{-4 x^{5} y^{4}}{2 x^{3} y^{2}} \]

To simplify the expression \(\frac{-4 x^{5} y^{4}}{2 x^{3} y^{2}}\), we can break it down into separate components. First, simplify the coefficients: \(-4\) divided by \(2\) is \(-2\). Next, for the \(x\) terms: \[ \frac{x^{5}}{x^{3}} = x^{5-3} = x^{2}. \] Lastly, for the \(y\) terms: \[ \frac{y^{4}}{y^{2}} = y^{4-2} = y^{2}. \] Putting it all together, we have: \[ \frac{-4 x^{5} y^{4}}{2 x^{3} y^{2}} = -2 x^{2} y^{2}. \] Therefore, the simplified expression is \(-2 x^{2} y^{2}\).