What is the slope of the line that passes through the points left bracket, minus, 7, comma, minus, 2, right bracket(−7,−2) and left bracket, minus, 2, comma, minus, 22, right bracket(−2,−22)? Write your answer in simplest form.
The slope of a line passing through two points (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) can be found using the formula:
slope = (y₂ - y₁) / (x₂ - x₁)
Using the given points (-7, -2) and (-2, -22), the slope can be calculated as:
slope = (-22 - (-2)) / (-2 - (-7))
= (-22 + 2) / (-2 + 7)
= (-20) / (5)
= -4
Therefore, the slope of the line that passes through the points (-7, -2) and (-2, -22) is -4.