1. **State the problem:** Find the area of a figure composed of a rectangle and two semicircles attached to the shorter sides of the rectangle. 2. **Given dimensions:** Rectangle length $= 8$ units, height $= 4$ units. Diameter of each semicircle $= 4$ units, so radius $r = \frac{4}{2} = 2$ units. 3. **Formula for area:** - Area of rectangle: $A_{rect} = \text{length} \times \text{height} = 8 \times 4$ - Area of a circle: $A_{circle} = \pi r^2$ - Area of two semicircles equals area of one full circle: $A_{semicircles} = 2 \times \frac{1}{2} \pi r^2 = \pi r^2$ 4. **Calculate areas:** - Rectangle area: $A_{rect} = 8 \times 4 = 32$ - Circle area (from two semicircles): $A_{semicircles} = \pi \times 2^2 = 4\pi$ 5. **Total area:** $$ A_{total} = A_{rect} + A_{semicircles} = 32 + 4\pi $$ 6. **Approximate value:** Using $\pi \approx 3.1416$ $$ A_{total} \approx 32 + 4 \times 3.1416 = 32 + 12.5664 = 44.5664 $$ 7. **Round to nearest tenth:** $44.6$ **Final answer:** The area of the figure is approximately $44.6$ square units.