Step-by-step explanation: In this problem we're asked to find the slope of the line that contains the points (-2,5) and (6,-3).
Using our slope formula, we take the <em>second y</em> minus <em>the first y</em> which in this case is -3 - 5 over our<em> second x </em>minus <em>our first x </em>which in this case is 6 - -2.
-3 - 5 simplifies to -8 and remember that minus a negative can be thought of as plus a positive so 6 - (-2) can be thought of as 6 + (+2) which is 8.
Now we have -8/8. Notice that our slope can be simplified one step further so we have <em>m = -1</em>.
The variable that's used to represent slope is <em>m</em>.
