Rectangle Area: Formula & Examples

The area of a rectangle is the amount of space it covers. It is calculated by multiplying the length and width of the rectangle.

Formula for Rectangle Area

The formula for calculating the area of a rectangle is:

Area = Length x Width

Where:

• Area is the amount of space the rectangle covers.
• Length is the longer side of the rectangle.
• Width is the shorter side of the rectangle.

Examples

Example 1

A rectangle has a length of 10 cm and a width of 5 cm. What is its area?

Area = Length x Width

Area = 10 cm x 5 cm

Area = 50 cm²

Therefore, the area of the rectangle is 50 square centimeters.

Example 2

A rectangular garden is 20 meters long and 15 meters wide. What is its area?

Area = Length x Width

Area = 20 meters x 15 meters

Area = 300 m²

Therefore, the area of the garden is 300 square meters.

Units of Measurement

The units of measurement for area are always squared. For example, if the length and width are measured in centimeters, the area will be measured in square centimeters (cm²).

Applications

The concept of rectangle area has many practical applications in everyday life. For example:

• Calculating the amount of paint needed to cover a wall
• Determining the size of a rug needed for a room
• Calculating the amount of fabric needed to make a tablecloth
• Finding the area of a rectangular garden or field

Key Points

• The area of a rectangle is the amount of space it covers.
• The formula for calculating the area of a rectangle is: Area = Length x Width.
• Units of measurement for area are always squared.