1. **State the problem:** We need to find the slope of the line passing through the points $(-8, -10)$ and $(8, 8)$. The slope represents the "rise" over the "run" between these two points. 2. **Formula for slope:** The slope $m$ between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is given by: $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ 3. **Substitute the points:** Using $(-8, -10)$ as $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(8, 8)$ as $(x_2, y_2)$: $$m = \frac{8 - (-10)}{8 - (-8)} = \frac{8 + 10}{8 + 8} = \frac{18}{16}$$ 4. **Simplify the fraction:** $$m = \frac{\cancel{18}^{9} \times 2}{\cancel{16}^{8} \times 2} = \frac{9}{8}$$ 5. **Interpretation:** The slope $\frac{9}{8}$ means the line rises 9 units for every 8 units it runs horizontally. **Final answer:** The slope of the line is $\boxed{\frac{9}{8}}$.