To find the slope(m), use the slope formula:
[tex]m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex] And substitute/plug in the two points on the line
(2, -8) = (x₁, y₁)
(4, 1) = (x₂, y₂)
[tex]m=\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex]
[tex]m=\frac{1-(-8)}{4-2}[/tex] (two negative signs cancel each other out and become positive)
[tex]m=\frac{1+8}{4-2}[/tex]
[tex]m=\frac{9}{2}[/tex]
