Question 243067

Note: *[Tex \LARGE \left(x_{1}, y_{1}\right)] is the first point *[Tex \LARGE \left(5,3\right)]. So this means that {{{x[1]=5}}} and {{{y[1]=3}}}.

Also, *[Tex \LARGE \left(x_{2}, y_{2}\right)] is the second point *[Tex \LARGE \left(8,-4\right)].  So this means that {{{x[2]=8}}} and {{{y[2]=-4}}}.



{{{m=(y[2]-y[1])/(x[2]-x[1])}}} Start with the slope formula.



{{{m=(-4-3)/(8-5)}}} Plug in {{{y[2]=-4}}}, {{{y[1]=3}}}, {{{x[2]=8}}}, and {{{x[1]=5}}}



{{{m=(-7)/(8-5)}}} Subtract {{{3}}} from {{{-4}}} to get {{{-7}}}



{{{m=(-7)/(3)}}} Subtract {{{5}}} from {{{8}}} to get {{{3}}}



So the slope of the line that goes through the points *[Tex \LARGE \left(5,3\right)] and *[Tex \LARGE \left(8,-4\right)] is {{{m=-7/3}}}