Final answer:
The elevation of the plane before its descent can be found by adding the descent distance of 3.5 miles to the post-descent elevation of 5.25 miles, resulting in an original elevation of 8.75 miles.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the elevation of the plane before its descent, we need to add the altitude it descended to the elevation after the descent. The airplane descends 3.5 miles, and its altitude after descent is 5.25 miles. Therefore, to find the original altitude, we add these two values:
- Original elevation = Elevation after descent + descent distance
- Original elevation = 5.25 miles + 3.5 miles
- Original elevation = 8.75 miles
Before its descent, the plane was at an elevation of 8.75 miles.