def measure(a_coordinates, b_coordinates):
    """ This function returns the manhattan distance
        as measured between two sets of coordinates. 
    """
    x_diff = abs(a_coordinates[0] - b_coordinates[0])
    y_diff = abs(a_coordinates[1] - b_coordinates[1])
    z_diff = abs(a_coordinates[2] - b_coordinates[2])
    return x_diff + y_diff + z_diff