What is the formula for calculating the area of a rectangle?

The formula for calculating the area of a rectangle is correctly identified as the product of its length and width. In a rectangle, the area is determined by how much space is enclosed within its boundaries, which can be visualized as a grid of squares that fit into the rectangle. By multiplying the length of one side (which represents one dimension of the rectangle) by the width of the perpendicular side (the other dimension), you achieve the total count of how many unit squares fit inside the rectangle.

Length refers to one dimension (usually considered the longer side), while width refers to the other dimension (typically the shorter side). When these two measurements are multiplied together, the result is the area expressed in square units. This is a fundamental concept in geometry and applies universally to rectangles, making this formula essential in various mathematical applications, from basic arithmetic to advanced geometry problems.

Other options do not accurately represent how to calculate the area of a rectangle, focusing instead on alternative forms of geometric calculations, or they represent relationships not applicable to area measurement.