1. **State the problem:** Find the slope of the line passing through the points $(-7, 37)$ and $(48, -28)$. 2. **Formula for slope:** The slope $m$ between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is given by $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ This formula calculates the "rise" over the "run" or the change in $y$ divided by the change in $x$. 3. **Substitute the given points:** $$m = \frac{-28 - 37}{48 - (-7)}$$ 4. **Simplify numerator and denominator:** $$m = \frac{-28 - 37}{48 + 7} = \frac{-65}{55}$$ 5. **Simplify the fraction by dividing numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD):** The GCD of 65 and 55 is 5, so $$m = \frac{\cancel{5} \times -13}{\cancel{5} \times 11} = \frac{-13}{11}$$ 6. **Final answer:** The slope of the line is $$m = -\frac{13}{11}$$ This means for every 11 units you move horizontally, the line moves down 13 units vertically.