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

The area of a rectangle is calculated using the formula that multiplies its length by its width. This relationship takes into account that a rectangle is defined by two dimensions: its length (the longer side) and its width (the shorter side). By multiplying these two measurements, you effectively capture the total space that the rectangle occupies in two dimensions.

In practical terms, envision a rectangle where you want to determine how much flooring you need to cover it. If the length is 5 feet and the width is 3 feet, using the correct formula (Area = Length x Width), you would calculate the area as 5 feet x 3 feet = 15 square feet. This result informs you that you need enough material to cover 15 square feet.

The other options represent incorrect mathematical operations for calculating area. Adding lengths or widths does not account for the dimensional space, nor does dividing or subtracting these values, which are operations unrelated to area measurement.