1. **State the problem:** We need to find the height of the NASA Space Shuttle's external tank. The height is calculated by adding 4 to the width and then multiplying by 8. The sum of the height and width is 48.3 meters. 2. **Define variables:** Let the width be $w$ meters. 3. **Write the height in terms of width:** Height $h = 8(w + 4)$. 4. **Use the sum condition:** $h + w = 48.3$. 5. **Substitute $h$ into the sum equation:** $$8(w + 4) + w = 48.3$$ 6. **Simplify the equation:** $$8w + 32 + w = 48.3$$ $$9w + 32 = 48.3$$ 7. **Solve for $w$:** $$9w = 48.3 - 32$$ $$9w = 16.3$$ $$w = \frac{16.3}{9} \approx 1.81$$ 8. **Find the height $h$:** $$h = 8(w + 4) = 8(1.81 + 4) = 8(5.81) = 46.48$$ 9. **Final answer:** The height of the tank is approximately **46.48 meters**.