What is the formula for the area of a rectangle?

The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying the length by the width. This is based on the concept that area is a measure of the space contained within a shape. For a rectangle, this formula effectively counts how many unit squares can fit inside the rectangle. The length represents one side of the rectangle, while the width represents the other side. By multiplying these two values, you obtain the total number of square units within that rectangle.

The other options provided do not represent the calculation of area. The first choice, which adds length and width, does not account for the two-dimensional nature of a rectangle. The third choice, which calculates circumference, is applicable to perimeter, not area. The last option involves dividing length by width, which does not yield any meaningful measure related to the area of a rectangle. Thus, the most accurate representation of the area of a rectangle is indeed found by multiplying the length by the width.