write the equation of a line through the point (5,-1) (-3, -5) in slope intercept form

First, find the slope:  m  =  [y₂ - y₁] / [x₂ - x₁]  =  [-5 - -1] / [-3 - 5]  =  [-5 + 1] / [-8]  =  [-4] / [-8]  =  1/2

Now, use the point-slope form for a line:  y - y₁  =  m[x - x₁]     --->     y - -1  =  (1/2)[x - 5]

--->   y + 1  =  (1/2)x - 5/2     --->     y  =  (1/2)x - 7/2