1. **State the problem:** Find the slope of the line given by the equation $$-5x - 3y = 14$$. 2. **Rewrite the equation in slope-intercept form:** The slope-intercept form is $$y = mx + b$$, where $$m$$ is the slope. 3. **Isolate $$y$$:** $$-5x - 3y = 14$$ Add $$5x$$ to both sides: $$-3y = 5x + 14$$ 4. **Divide both sides by $$-3$$ to solve for $$y$$:** $$y = \frac{5x + 14}{-3}$$ Show cancelation: $$y = \frac{\cancel{5x} + \cancel{14}}{\cancel{-3}}$$ (no common factors to cancel, so just division) 5. **Simplify:** $$y = -\frac{5}{3}x - \frac{14}{3}$$ 6. **Identify the slope:** The coefficient of $$x$$ is the slope $$m$$. **Final answer:** $$m = -\frac{5}{3}$$