Answer
$d=17
\text{ units}
$
Work Step by Step
Using $d=\sqrt{(x_1-x_2)^2+(y_1-y_2)^2}$ or the Distance Formula, then the distance, $d$, between the given points $(
-4,2
)$ and $(
4,17
)$ is
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
d=\sqrt{(-4-4)^2+(2-17)^2}
\\\\
d=\sqrt{(-8)^2+(-15)^2}
\\\\
d=\sqrt{64+225}
\\\\
d=\sqrt{289}
\\\\
d=\sqrt{(17)^2}
\\\\
d=17
\text{ units}
.\end{array}