1. **State the problem:** Find the equation of the line passing through points $(-7, 48)$ and $(4, -18)$ in the form $y = mx + b$. 2. **Find the slope $m$ using the formula:** $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ where $(x_1, y_1) = (-7, 48)$ and $(x_2, y_2) = (4, -18)$. 3. **Calculate the slope:** $$m = \frac{-18 - 48}{4 - (-7)} = \frac{-66}{4 + 7} = \frac{-66}{11}$$ 4. **Simplify the slope:** $$m = \frac{\cancel{-66}}{\cancel{11}} = -6$$ 5. **Use point-slope form to find $b$:** $$y = mx + b \Rightarrow b = y - mx$$ Using point $(-7, 48)$: $$b = 48 - (-6)(-7) = 48 - 42 = 6$$ 6. **Write the final equation:** $$y = -6x + 6$$ This is the equation of the line passing through the given points.