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

To find the slope of the line passing through the points \( (-5,-2) \) and \( (3,-9) \), we use the slope formula, which is given by: \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \] Here, \( (x_1, y_1) = (-5, -2) \) and \( (x_2, y_2) = (3, -9) \). Plugging these values into the formula: \[ m = \frac{-9 - (-2)}{3 - (-5)} = \frac{-9 + 2}{3 + 5} = \frac{-7}{8} \] So, the slope of the line is \( \frac{-7}{8} \). If you ever find yourself calculating the slope, remember that it represents how steep the line is; a negative slope indicates the line descends from left to right! Additionally, plotting the points on a graph helps visualize the slope and confirm your calculations; it’s like revealing a hidden connection between numbers!