Since Walter split the trip into 3 sections of equal time, we can divide the total miles in three to get the following:
![(1404)/(3)=468](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/bh0ikw53lnhjedndj6azqtrpa8fd2kia8y.png)
Then Walter drove 468 miles in each section. Now, he drove at an average speed of 52 miles per hour, then:
![\begin{gathered} 52mi\rightarrow1h \\ 468mi\rightarrow x \\ \Rightarrow x=(468mi\cdot1h)/(52mi)=9h \\ x=9h \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/yq70nebvnp38uixylnjiil0uo9exbz7hi9.png)
therefore, Walter drove for 9 hours in each section.