What is the distance between the points (8, 3) and (8, –6)?
a.
3 units
b.
8 units
c.
9 units
d.
17 units

The x-coordinates of the two points are the same, so they lie on the same vertical line.
They lie on the opposite sides of the x-axis, so you must add the distance from one point to the x-axis to the distance from the other point to the x-axis.
The distance from the point (8,3) to the x-axis is 3.
The distance from the point (8,-6) to the x-axis is 6.

3+6=9

The answer is C. 9 units.