To find the distance between the points \( A(2, 4) \) and \( B(-2, -1) \), we can use the distance formula, which is derived from the Pythagorean theorem:
\[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]
Here, \( (x_1, y_1) \) are the coordinates of point A and \( (x_2, y_2) \) are the coordinates of point B.
Substituting in the values:
- \( x_1 = 2 \)
- \( y_1 = 4 \)
- \( x_2 = -2 \)
- \( y_2 = -1 \)
Now, plug these into the formula:
\[ d = \sqrt{((-2) - 2)^2 + ((-1) - 4)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{(-4)^2 + (-5)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{16 + 25} \] \[ d = \sqrt{41} \]
Now we can find the value of \( \sqrt{41} \):
\[ \sqrt{41} \approx 6.4 \]
Rounding to the nearest hundredth, the final answer is:
\[ \boxed{6.40} \]