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

The formula for calculating the area of a rectangle is correctly represented by the multiplication of length and width. This is because the area of a rectangle is defined as the total surface covered within its four sides. To find this area, you multiply the length of the rectangle by its width.

For instance, if you have a rectangle that is 4 units long and 3 units wide, the area would be calculated as 4 x 3, resulting in an area of 12 square units. This multiplication accounts for the entirety of the rectangle's space.

The other options do not provide the correct method for calculating area. Adding the length and width gives a perimeter but not the area. Subtracting width from length does not apply to area calculations. Dividing length by width does not yield a meaningful measurement in relation to area either. Therefore, the multiplication of length and width is essential for accurately determining the area of a rectangle.