1. **State the problem:** Find the equation of the line in the form $y = mx + b$ passing through the points $(7, 2)$ and $(-28, -43)$. 2. **Formula for slope:** The slope $m$ is given by $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ where $(x_1, y_1) = (7, 2)$ and $(x_2, y_2) = (-28, -43)$. 3. **Calculate the slope:** $$m = \frac{-43 - 2}{-28 - 7} = \frac{-45}{-35}$$ 4. **Simplify the slope:** $$m = \frac{\cancel{-45}}{\cancel{-35}} = \frac{45}{35} = \frac{9}{7}$$ 5. **Use point-slope form to find $b$:** $$y = mx + b \implies b = y - mx$$ Using point $(7, 2)$: $$b = 2 - \frac{9}{7} \times 7 = 2 - 9 = -7$$ 6. **Write the final equation:** $$y = \frac{9}{7}x - 7$$ **Answer:** $y = \frac{9}{7}x - 7$