To find the distance between the points (3, -5) and (-2, -7) on the coordinate plane, you can use the distance formula:
\[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]
where \((x_1, y_1)\) = (3, -5) and \((x_2, y_2)\) = (-2, -7).
Now, plug in the values:
\[ d = \sqrt{((-2) - 3)^2 + ((-7) - (-5))^2} \] \[ = \sqrt{(-5)^2 + (-2)^2} \] \[ = \sqrt{25 + 4} \] \[ = \sqrt{29} \]
Now, let's calculate \(\sqrt{29}\):
\[ \sqrt{29} \approx 5.385 \]
Rounding this to the nearest tenth gives:
\[ 5.4 \]
So, the distance between the two points is about 5.4 units.