Find the slope of the line that passes through \( (6,1) \) and \( (1,8) \). Simplify your answer and write it as a proper fraction, improper fraction, or integer.

To find the slope \( m \) of the line that passes through the points \( (x_1, y_1) = (6, 1) \) and \( (x_2, y_2) = (1, 8) \), we can use the formula: \[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \] Substituting in the values: \[ m = \frac{8 - 1}{1 - 6} = \frac{7}{-5} = -\frac{7}{5} \] So, the slope of the line is \(-\frac{7}{5}\). This means the line descends as it moves from left to right, with a rate of decline of 7 units vertically for every 5 units it moves horizontally.