John averages 60 miles per hour (mph) the 6 hours he
travels from his house to Ling's house. On his return
trip, John experiences heavy traffic due to construction
zones. He averages 36 mph the first 3 hours of his
return trip. What is the average speed, in miles per
hour, John must drive for the rest of the return trip for
a return trip of 7 hours?
The distance from John's house to Ling's house:
$$ d=rt $$
$$ d= 60(6) = 360 \text{ miles}$$
During the first 3 hours of the return trip, John travels:
$$ d=rt $$
$$ d= 36(3) = 108 \text{ miles} $$
For the last 4 hours, John must travel:
$$ d = 360-108 = 252 \text{ miles} $$
Traveling 252 miles in 4 hours:
$$ d=rt$$
$$ r= \frac{d}{t} $$
$$ r= \frac{252}{4} =\boxed{63}$$