To calculate the length of the vertical side formed by two points in a coordinate system, we have to look at the difference between the y-coordinates of those points, assuming that their x-coordinates are the same (because that's the condition for the side to be vertical).
Given the coordinates (15, -3) and (15, -10):
- The first point is indicated as A with coordinates A(x₁, y₁) = (15, -3).
- The second point is indicated as C with coordinates C(x₂, y₂) = (15, -10).
Since both points A and C have the same x-coordinate (15), the line segment connecting these two points is vertical. To find the length of the vertical side, we only need to look at the y-coordinates (because the x-coordinate doesn't change, and thus there's no horizontal component to this side).
So, to calculate the length of the vertical side, we use the following formula:
Length = |y₂ - y₁|
Applying the coordinates to the formula, we get:
Length = |(-10) - (-3)|
We simplify the expression by calculating the difference:
Length = |-10 + 3|
Length = |-7|
The absolute value of -7 is 7.
So the length of the vertical side is 7 centimeters.
