To determine which of the given linear functions has the steepest slope, we can look at the coefficients of \( x \) in each function:
- \( y = 2x + 5 \) has a slope of \( 2 \).
- \( y = 3x + 4 \) has a slope of \( 3 \).
- \( y = -5x \) has a slope of \( -5 \).
- \( y = -4x + 8 \) has a slope of \( -4 \).
The steepness of a slope can be quantified by the absolute value of the slope. Therefore, we evaluate the absolute values of the slopes:
- \( |2| = 2 \)
- \( |3| = 3 \)
- \( |-5| = 5 \)
- \( |-4| = 4 \)
The slope with the largest absolute value is \( -5 \) in the function \( y = -5x \).
Thus, the graph with the steepest, most vertical slope is:
\( y = -5x \).