Pythagoras theorem word problem A tree is 8 m north and 6 m east of another tree. One of the trees is 12 m tall, and the other tree is 17 m tall. Find the distance between the tops of the trees

First find out how far apart the trunks of the trees are. Use pythagorean thereom.
Then imagine two monkeys climbing the trees at the same pace.  As soon as the monkey on the shorter tree reaches the top he shouts "stop".  Then the monkey climbing the taller tree ties a red ribbon around the taller tree.  That red ribbon is 12 m off the ground. 
Now how far apart is the red ribbon from the top of the shorter tree?  (You know how far apart the bases of the trees are.  So how far apart are two points on the trees if the two points are both the same distance off the ground?)
Now how far apart is the ribbon on the tall tree from the top of the tall tree? (The ribbon is 12 m off the ground.  The tree is 17 meters high.)
Now figure out how far apart the tops of the trees are.  Use the pythagorean theorem. You know how far apart the top of the short tree is from the ribbon.  And you know how far apart the ribbon is from the top of the tall tree.  So how far apart is the top of the share tree to the tall tree?
