Now, find the equation for a line that passes through the two points (−1,3) and (4,−5). express your answer in terms of x. the "y=" has been given for you

The slope of this line is
         
         -5 - 3           -8
m = ----------- = ----------
          4-(-1)           5

Then use the point-slope format to find the equation of this line.

y-3 = (-8/5)(x-(-1)), or   y - 3 = (-8/5)( x + 1)     (answer)

This could be re-written in other forms, such as the slope-intercept form.