Skill: Find vertical distance between points

When two points have the same $x$-coordinate, they are directly above or below each other. Their vertical distance is the number of units between their $y$-coordinates.

Use the formula:

$$\text{vertical distance}=\lvert y_2-y_1\rvert$$

The absolute value makes the answer positive, no matter which point is higher.

Example: Find the vertical distance between $A(-3,5)$ and $B(-3,-2)$.

1. Identify the $y$-coordinates: $5$ and $-2$.

2. Subtract the $y$-coordinates:

$$-2-5=-7$$

3. Take the absolute value:

$$\lvert -7\rvert=7$$

The vertical distance between the points is $7$ units. The $x$-coordinate, $-3$, does not affect the vertical distance.