Final answer:
The rate of descent of the hot air balloon is 67.5 feet per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the rate of descent, we need to determine the difference in elevation and divide it by the time taken. In this case, the hot air balloon descended from an elevation of 5,898 feet to 3,333 feet in 38 minutes. The difference in elevation is 5,898 - 3,333 = 2,565 feet. Dividing this by the time taken, 2,565 feet / 38 minutes = 67.5 feet/minute.