The distance between two points in [tex]\mathbb{R}^2: [/tex][tex]A(x_1,y_1)[/tex] and [tex]B(x_1,y_1)[/tex] is defined as,
[tex]AB=\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}[/tex].
In this case we have [tex]A(5,6)[/tex] and [tex]B(5,-2)[/tex] this yields
[tex]AB=\sqrt{(5-5)^2+(-2-6)^2}=\sqrt{8^2}=\boxed{8}[/tex].
The distance points is 8 units.
Hope this helps.