Final Answer:
The slope of the line passing through the points (-3, 3) and (1, -5) is -2.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the slope of a line passing through two points, you can use the formula: Slope (m) = (change in y) / (change in x). In this case, the coordinates (-3, 3) and (1, -5) give us two points on the line.
The change in y is -5 - 3 = -8, and the change in x is 1 - (-3) = 4. Therefore, the slope is -8 / 4 = -2.
Now, let's understand the geometric interpretation of the slope. A slope of -2 means that for every unit increase in the x-direction, the corresponding y-value decreases by 2 units. It indicates the steepness and direction of the line on the coordinate plane. In this specific line, as x increases, y decreases at a rate of 2:1.
In summary, the slope of -2 defines the rate at which the line descends as it moves to the right. This information helps to understand the relationship between the x and y coordinates on the graph and the inclination of the line in the given coordinate plane.