Chapter 9 Quadratic Relations and Conic Sections - 9.1 Apply the Distance and Midpoint Formulas - 9.1 Exercises - Skill Practice - Page 618: 42

$y=\pm4-1$ (y = 3)

The distance formula from $P_1(x_1,y_1)$ to $P_2(x_2,y_2)$ is $d=\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}$. Hence here: $\sqrt{(-3-2)^2+(-1-y)^2}=\sqrt{41}\\25+(-1-y)^2=41\\(-1-y)^2=16\\-1-y=\pm4\\-y=\pm4+1\\y=\pm4-1$