Which is steeper, y = 4x+ 5 or y = - 5x - 2 ?

5 is steeper than 4, even if it slopes the opposite way ( up the other side of the roof)

To determine which equation has a steeper slope, we can compare the coefficients of the x-term.

In the first equation, y = 4x + 5, the coefficient of x is 4.
In the second equation, y = -5x - 2, the coefficient of x is -5.

The coefficient of x represents the slope of the line. The greater the absolute value of the coefficient, the steeper the slope.

In this case, since 5 > 4, the equation y = -5x - 2 has a steeper slope compared to y = 4x + 5.