A certain bird species can fly at an average speed of 16 meters per second when in continuous flight. At...

1. TRANSLATE the problem information

• Given information:
  • Speed: 16 meters per second
  • Time: 4 seconds
  • Find: total distance traveled

2. INFER the approach

• This is a rate problem where we need to find total distance
• When you know rate (speed) and time, distance equals rate times time
• We need to multiply: \(16 \mathrm{meters/second} \times 4 \mathrm{seconds}\)

3. Apply the distance formula

• \(\mathrm{Distance} = \mathrm{Rate} \times \mathrm{Time}\)
• \(\mathrm{Distance} = 16 \times 4 = 64 \mathrm{meters}\)

Answer: A. 64

Why Students Usually Falter on This Problem

Most Common Error Path:

Weak INFER skill: Not recognizing that rate problems require multiplication

Students see two numbers (16 and 4) and choose the wrong operation. They might add them because addition feels "natural" when combining numbers, getting \(16 + 4 = 20\).

This may lead them to select Choice B (20)

Second Most Common Error:

Incomplete INFER reasoning: Stopping at the given rate without considering time

Students read "16 meters per second" and think this answers the question directly, not realizing they need to account for the 4-second duration.

This may lead them to select Choice C (16)

The Bottom Line:

Rate problems require recognizing the multiplication relationship between rate, time, and distance. The key insight is that "meters per second" tells you how far the bird travels each second, so for multiple seconds, you multiply.