The point-slope form:
[tex]y-y_1=m(x-x_1)[/tex]
The formula of a slope:
[tex]m=\dfrac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}[/tex]
We have the points (-4, -1) and (5, 7). Substitute:
[tex]m=\dfrac{7-(-1)}{5-(-4)}=\dfrac{7+1}{5+4}=\dfrac{8}{9}\\\\\boxed{y-7=\dfrac{8}{9}(x-5)}[/tex]