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

  1. 1/2 bh

  2. L + W

  3. LW

  4. 2(L + W)

The correct answer is: LW

The formula for calculating the area of a rectangle is indeed represented by the expression LW, where L stands for the length and W stands for the width. This formula works because the area of a rectangle is defined as the amount of space enclosed within its four sides, which can be determined by multiplying the length of one side by the length of the adjacent side. Each unit of length in the rectangle’s length can be paired with each unit of width, resulting in a grid of square units that fills the rectangle, thereby giving its area. In contrast, the other options relate to different mathematical concepts: for instance, 1/2 bh represents the area of a triangle, L + W sums the length and width without providing area, and 2(L + W) calculates the perimeter of the rectangle, not its area. Therefore, LW is the correct formula for the area of a rectangle.