What does the distance formula distance = rate x time compute?

The distance formula, expressed as distance equals rate multiplied by time, is fundamentally used to calculate the total distance covered when traveling at a consistent speed for a specific duration. This means that if you know how fast an object is moving (the rate) and for how long it has been moving (the time), you can determine the entire distance it has traveled.

For example, if a car is traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour for 2 hours, the distance it covers can be calculated by multiplying the speed (rate) by the time, resulting in 120 miles. This clear relationship between distance, rate, and time confirms why the correct choice is about the distance traveled at a steady speed.