What is the formula for the area of a rectangle?

The formula for the area of a rectangle is given by multiplying its length by its width. This relationship is based on the definition of area, which measures the amount of two-dimensional space within a boundary.

In a rectangle, the length refers to one pair of opposite sides, while the width refers to the adjacent sides. When you multiply these two dimensions, you essentially count how many unit squares can fit within the rectangle. This is crucial for solving problems involving space, such as determining the amount of material needed to cover the surface of the rectangle.

The other formulas do not accurately represent how to calculate the area of a rectangle. The addition of length and width does not provide a measure of space but rather a perimeter-like property. Multiplying length by height is relevant in calculating the volume of a three-dimensional shape, not the area of a two-dimensional rectangle. Lastly, the expression involving two times the sum of length and width pertains to the perimeter of the rectangle, not its area. Thus, the correct approach to finding the area is indeed length multiplied by width.