To find the slope \( m \) of the line passing through the points \((2, 3)\) and \((7, 1)\), you can use the formula:
\[ m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
Here, \((x_1, y_1) = (2, 3)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (7, 1)\). Plugging in these values:
\[ m = \frac{1 - 3}{7 - 2} = \frac{-2}{5} \]
So the slope of the line is
\[ \frac{-2}{5} \]
This fraction represents the slope of the line between the given points.