Calculating Distance on the Coordinate Plane

[Phoenix]

I just started doing math again so if you could give me a basic answer to this I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for any and all help given.

There are two methods to counting the blocks and I understand just counting them and I understand that we only use the coordinates that arent repeated but, I do not understand why we are subtracting them when we are actually adding them.

I am given examples like the plot points below, but I do not understand why the subraction symbol is being used.
a(5, -7) to b(5, 6)
|6 − (-7)| = |6 + 7| = |13| = 13.

x(4, 1) to y(4, -6).
|1 − (-6)| = |1 + 6| = |7| = 7.

I was having some problems with the absolute values so if this has something to do with that please tell me and I will review it.

Thanks again and take care

 

[Phoenix]

I get it now I am sorry but posting this did actually help me see it better so its not a complete waste of time.

Thanks but it can be deleted now.