1. Identify the coordinates:
Point A: (x_1, y_1) = (-1, -8)
Point B: (x_2, y_2) = (1, 6)
2. Use the slope formula:
m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}
3. Substitute the values:
m = \frac{6 - (-8)}{1 - (-1)}
m = \frac{6 + 8}{1 + 1}
m = \frac{14}{2}
4. Simplify the fraction:
m = 7
So, the answer is m = 7