What is the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle?

The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated using the formula P = 2L + 2W, where L represents the length and W represents the width of the rectangle. This formula works by recognizing that a rectangle has two lengths and two widths. By adding the lengths and widths together (L + W) and then doubling that sum, you effectively find the total distance around the rectangle.

Using the formula, if you have a rectangle with a length of, say, 5 units and a width of 3 units, you would calculate the perimeter as follows: P = 2(5) + 2(3) = 10 + 6 = 16 units. This method ensures that you accurately measure all four sides of the rectangle.

Other formulas provided are not applicable to a rectangle: one describes the area, while another applies to a square, and the last one suggests a sum of lengths without specifying any shape. This underlines the importance of using the correct formula for perimeter specifically tailored for rectangles.