What is the slope of the line through the points (-2, -5) and (1, -7)

What is the slope of the line through the points (-2, -5) and (1, -7)

The formula of a line is y=mx+b

and m is the slop.

We have point 1 with x = -2 and y = -5 ... so we have   -5 = m*(-2) + b  or -5 = -2m+b

We have point 2 with x = 1 and y = -7... so we have      -7 = m*(1) + b   or -7= m+b

Now we subtract the equation 2 of the equation 1:        -7 -(-5) = m+b - (-2m+b)

so we have  -7+5 = m+b+2m-b

or  -2 = 3m

and the slope m  is $$\small{\text{$-\dfrac{2}{3}$}}$$  

To get the slope......subtract the y components of each point in any order....then......subtract the x components in the same order.....put the first result over the second.....so we have.....

-7 - (-5)   = -2

Subtract the x components in the same order......

1 - (-2)   = 3

Put the first result over the second........-2/3     .....    and that's the slope....!!!!