The point-slope form:
[tex]y-y_1=m(x-x_1)\\\\m=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex]
We have the points (-1, 6) and (7, -2). Substitute:
[tex]m=\dfrac{-2-6}{7-(-1)}=\dfrac{-8}{8}=-1\\\\y-6=-1(x-(-1))\\\\y-6=-(x+1)\\\\y-6=-x-1\qqiad|\text{add 6 to both sides}\\\\\boxed{y=-x+5}[/tex]
