I'll try to explain since I can't draw a picture starting at the tree draw a segment 5 ft starting at the tree draw a segment 12 ft high both with the same vertex now connect them and you will form a right triangle apply the Pythagorean Theorem 5^2 + 12^2= d^2 25+144= d^2 169= d^2 13=d (square root of 169) distance = 13 feet hope you can follow the steps