What are the slope,  m, and the y-intercept,  b, of a line that passes through the points (−3, 1) and (7, −5)?

The slope, m, of a line can be found using the formula (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1), where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are the coordinates of two points on the line. In this case, the coordinates of the two points are (-3, 1) and (7, -5). Plugging these values into the formula, we get (1 - (-5)) / (-3 - 7) = 6 / (-10) = -3/5. Therefore, the slope, m, is -3/5. The y-intercept, b, can be found by substituting the slope, m, and the coordinates of one of the points into the equation y = mx + b. Using the point (-3, 1), we have 1 = (-3/5)(-3) + b. Simplifying this equation, we get 1 = 9/5 + b. Solving for b, we find b = -4/5. Therefore, the slope, m, is -3/5 and the y-intercept, b, is -4/5.