What is the primary formula used to calculate distance in relation to speed and time?

The primary formula used to calculate distance in relation to speed and time is based on the relationship that distance is the product of speed (or rate) and time. This means that when you know how fast an object is moving (the speed or rate) and the amount of time it travels at that speed, you can determine the total distance covered.

In this context, "Rate" specifically refers to speed, which is usually expressed in units such as miles per hour or kilometers per hour. The formula illustrates that if you multiply the speed by the time, you will get the distance traveled. This relationship is fundamental in physics and everyday calculations involving motion.

The other options provided do not accurately represent the mathematical relationship between distance, speed, and time. For instance, adding speed and time, or subtracting speed from rate, does not yield a meaningful result in the context of distance calculation, thereby reaffirming why the correct formula is the multiplication of speed by time.