text: First you have to put the equation in slope-intercept form.\n\n2x + 4y = -17\n-2x           -2x\n\n4y = -2x -17\n/4      /4\n\ny = -1/2x -17/4\n\nSlope-Intercept form:\n\ny = mx + b\n\nm= slope\nb= y-intercept\n\nSo,\n\nm = -1/2