Use the distance formula:
[tex] \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}[/tex]
Plug in the given coordinates:
[tex] \sqrt{(-3-1)^2 + (5-(-1))^2}[/tex]
Simplify:
[tex] \sqrt{(-3-1)^2 + (5+1))^2}[/tex]
[tex] \sqrt{-4^2+ 6^2}[/tex]
[tex] \sqrt{16+36}[/tex]
[tex] \sqrt{52}[/tex]
You can leave it as: [tex]\sqrt{52}[/tex]or in decimal form as: 7.2