Final answer:
Creating a rectangular array for 2x4 involves arranging 8 squares in 2 rows and 4 columns, visually representing the product as an area.
Step-by-step explanation:
To model 2x4 using a rectangular array of squares, we need to create a rectangle composed of 2 rows and 4 columns of squares. Imagine you are placing a total of 8 squares (2 rows X 4 columns), creating an array that is two squares high and four squares wide. This visual representation helps in understanding multiplication as an area concept, where the number of squares represents the product of the two factors, which in this case is 8.