In the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle, \( P = 2(l + w) \), the \( 2 \) represents the fact that the perimeter is the total distance around the rectangle, which includes two lengths and two widths.
When you calculate the perimeter, you add the length \( l \) and the width \( w \) together (which gives you the sum of one length and one width). Since a rectangle has two lengths and two widths, you multiply this sum by \( 2 \) to account for both pairs, thus leading to the formula \( P = 2(l + w) \).