Question

simplify your answer and write it as a proper fraction, improper fraction, or in
the chart shows a line with points (-8, -4) and (8, -12) on a coordinate grid.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall slope formula

The slope \( m \) between two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\) is \( m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \).
Let \((x_1, y_1)=(-8, -4)\) and \((x_2, y_2)=(8, -12)\).

Step2: Substitute values into formula

Substitute \( x_1=-8 \), \( y_1 = -4 \), \( x_2 = 8 \), \( y_2=-12 \) into the slope formula:
\( m=\frac{-12 - (-4)}{8 - (-8)}=\frac{-12 + 4}{8 + 8}=\frac{-8}{16} \).

Step3: Simplify the fraction

Simplify \( \frac{-8}{16} \) by dividing numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 8:
\( \frac{-8\div8}{16\div8}=-\frac{1}{2} \).

Answer:

\(-\frac{1}{2}\)