To find the distance between the points (4, −2) and (4, −5), we can use the distance formula, which is given by:
\[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]
In this case, the coordinates of the two points are:
- Point 1: \((x_1, y_1) = (4, -2)\)
- Point 2: \((x_2, y_2) = (4, -5)\)
Now, we can substitute the values into the formula:
\[ d = \sqrt{(4 - 4)^2 + (-5 - (-2))^2} \]
Calculating the differences:
\[ d = \sqrt{(0)^2 + (-5 + 2)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{0 + (-3)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{9} \] \[ d = 3 \]
Thus, the distance between the points (4, −2) and (4, −5) is \(3\).
Alternatively, since both points have the same x-coordinate (4), they lie on a vertical line, and the distance can simply be found by calculating the absolute difference between the y-coordinates:
\[ |y_2 - y_1| = |-5 - (-2)| = |-5 + 2| = |-3| = 3 \]
So, the distance is confirmed to be \(3\).