$X$ walked from point $A$ to $B$. He turns right and walks $17\text{ feet}$. He again turns right and walks a distance which is equal to that from $A$ to $B$. He again turns right and walks $9\text{ feet}$. How far is he from the starting point?

Let's trace the path of $X$:
1. Walks from $A$ to $B$ in some direction (let's say East for convenience, of length $d$).
2. Turns right (South) and walks $17\text{ feet}$.
3. Turns right (West) and walks a distance equal to $A$ to $B$ (i.e., length $d$). At this stage, he is exactly opposite to point $A$ at a distance of $17\text{ feet}$ south of $A$.
4. Turns right (North) and walks $9\text{ feet}$ towards $A$.

Since the total distance back to $A$ along that vertical line was $17\text{ feet}$, and he has walked $9\text{ feet}$ towards it, his distance from the starting point $A$ is:

$$17-9=8\text{ feet}$$