What formula is used to calculate the area of a rectangle?

The formula for the area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying the length (l) by the width (w). This relationship is foundational in geometry, as the area represents the total space contained within the rectangle's boundaries.

When you multiply the length by the width, you effectively count how many unit squares fit within the rectangle. For example, if the length of a rectangle is 5 units and the width is 4 units, the area would be calculated as (5 \times 4 = 20) square units. This reinforces the concept that each dimension contributes to the overall space enclosed by the rectangle.

Other formulas listed do not represent the area of the rectangle. For instance, the perimeter formula involves summing twice the length and twice the width, while adding the lengths and widths individually does not yield an area measurement. Additionally, adding 2 to the product of length and width does not correspond to any geometrical property related to the area of a rectangle. Therefore, the multiplication of length and width is the correct and standard formula used to determine the area of a rectangle.