1. **State the problem:** Find the slope $m$ of the line passing through the points $(3, 11)$ and $(-9, -13)$. 2. **Formula:** The slope formula is $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ where $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ are the coordinates of the two points. 3. **Substitute the values:** Here, $x_1 = 3$, $y_1 = 11$, $x_2 = -9$, and $y_2 = -13$. So, $$m = \frac{-13 - 11}{-9 - 3}$$ 4. **Simplify numerator and denominator:** $$m = \frac{-24}{-12}$$ 5. **Cancel common factors:** $$m = \frac{\cancel{-24}}{\cancel{-12}} = 2$$ 6. **Interpretation:** The slope $m$ is $2$, meaning the line rises 2 units vertically for every 1 unit it moves horizontally to the right. **Final answer:** $$m = 2$$