What is the area formula for a rectangle?

The area formula for a rectangle is based on the concept that the area represents the amount of space enclosed within the boundaries of the rectangle. To calculate the area, you multiply the length of the rectangle by its width. This is because length and width are the two dimensions that define the size of the rectangle.

When you multiply the length by the width (Area = length × width), you are essentially counting how many unit squares can fit inside the rectangle, with each square measuring one unit by one unit. This relationship holds true regardless of the actual measurements of length and width—whether they are in meters, centimeters, or any other unit.

The other options do not represent the area correctly. Adding the length and width does not correspond to an area calculation, as area is inherently a product of two dimensions. The formula involving 2(length + width) refers to the perimeter of the rectangle, which is a separate measure of the distance around the rectangle. Lastly, subtracting width from length does not convey any meaningful area since it does not account for the full dimensions necessary to calculate the space inside the rectangle.