Final answer:
The distance between the points (-8, -6) and (8, -6) is found by taking the absolute difference of their x-coordinates, resulting in a distance of 16 units.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the distance between two points on the coordinate plane, specifically the points (-8, -6) and (8, -6). Since both points lie on the same horizontal line (they have the same y-coordinate), we can find the distance by calculating the difference in their x-coordinates. The formula for distance in a one-dimensional case, where the points are on the same line, is simply the absolute difference between the x-coordinates of the two points.
To calculate the distance:
Distance = |x2 - x1|
Distance = |8 - (-8)|
Distance = |8 + 8|
Distance = |16|
Distance = 16 units
The correct answer to the student's question is B. 16 units.