Use Vieta's formula for x² + px + q = 0. For this form, the sum of the roots is -p and the product of the roots is q. The given roots are 4 and 6, so their sum is 4 + 6 = 10. Since sum = -p, we have -p = 10, which gives p = -10. The product 4×6 = 24 also matches the constant term, so the roots are consistent. Therefore the correct answer is -10.