Question

find the slope of the line passing through the points (-5, -2) and (3, -9).

Explanation:

Step1: Recall slope formula

The slope \( m \) between two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\) is \( m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \).
Let \((x_1, y_1)=(-5, -2)\) and \((x_2, y_2)=(3, -9)\).

Step2: Substitute values

Substitute into the formula: \( m=\frac{-9 - (-2)}{3 - (-5)} \).
Simplify numerator and denominator: \( -9 - (-2)=-9 + 2=-7 \), \( 3 - (-5)=3 + 5 = 8 \).
So \( m = -\frac{7}{8} \).

Answer:

\(-\frac{7}{8}\)