1. **State the problem:** Find the distance between the points $(-8, 3)$ and $(-2, -5)$. 2. **Formula used:** The distance $d$ between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is given by the distance formula: $$d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$$ This formula comes from the Pythagorean theorem, where the difference in $x$ and $y$ coordinates form the legs of a right triangle. 3. **Calculate the differences:** $$x_2 - x_1 = -2 - (-8) = -2 + 8 = 6$$ $$y_2 - y_1 = -5 - 3 = -8$$ 4. **Substitute into the formula:** $$d = \sqrt{6^2 + (-8)^2} = \sqrt{36 + 64} = \sqrt{100}$$ 5. **Simplify the square root:** $$\sqrt{100} = 10$$ 6. **Final answer:** The distance between the points $(-8, 3)$ and $(-2, -5)$ is $10$.