Ab has endpoints at a(-12,16) and b(8,-17). find the slope of ab.

To find the slope, we need to determine the horizontal and vertical differences in coordinates. The formula is rise divided by run, which is the vertical height divided by horizontal distance, or for 2 points (x1, y1), and (x2, y2), the slope is:
m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Let A be point 1: x1 = -12, y1 = 16, and B be point 2: x2 = 8, y2 = -17.
m = (-17 - 16) / (8 - (-12)) = -33/20