Chapter 9 Quadratic Relations and Conic Sections - 9.1 Apply the Distance and Midpoint Formulas - 9.1 Exercises - Skill Practice - Page 617: 29

scalene

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: $a=\sqrt{(-4-2)^2+(3-(-1))^2}=\sqrt{52}$, $b=\sqrt{(-4-8)^2+(3-(-1))^2}=\sqrt{160}$, $c=\sqrt{(2-8)^2+(-1-(-1))^2}=\sqrt{36}=6$, thus the triangle is scalene.