Answer:
[tex]\boxed {\boxed {\sf m= - \frac{ 1}{2} \ or \ -0.5}}[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
The slope of a line tells us the steepness and direction of the line. It is "rise over run" or the change in y over the change in x.
The formula for calculating slope is:
[tex]m= \frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex]
Where (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) are the points the line passes through. We are given the points (-2, -1) and (2, -3). If we match the value and its corresponding variable we see that:
Substitute the values into the formula.
[tex]m= \frac{ -3 - -1}{2 - -2}[/tex]
Solve the numerator and denominator. Remember that 2 back to back negative/subtraction signs become a positive/addition sign.
[tex]m= \frac {-2}{2--2}[/tex]
[tex]m= \frac{-2}{4}[/tex]
Simplify the fraction. Both the numerator and denominator can be divided by 2.
[tex]m= \frac{-2/2}{4/2}[/tex]
[tex]m= - \frac{1}{2}[/tex]
The slope of the line is -1/2 or -0.5
