1. **State the problem:** Find the equation of the line passing through points $(-8,7)$ and $(0,-1)$ in slope-intercept form $y=mx+b$. 2. **Formula:** The slope $m$ of a line through points $(x_1,y_1)$ and $(x_2,y_2)$ is given by $$m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ 3. **Calculate the slope:** Using points $(-8,7)$ and $(0,-1)$, $$m=\frac{-1 - 7}{0 - (-8)}=\frac{-8}{8}=-1$$ 4. **Find the y-intercept $b$:** Since the line passes through $(0,-1)$, the y-intercept is $$b = -1$$ 5. **Write the equation:** Substitute $m=-1$ and $b=-1$ into $y=mx+b$: $$y = -1 \cdot x - 1 = -x - 1$$ **Final answer:** $$y = -x - 1$$