x = total amount of students in 8th Grade.
we know only one-thrid of the class went, so (1/3)x or x/3 went.
we also know 5 coaches went too, and that the total amount of that is 41.
[tex]\bf \stackrel{\textit{one third of all students}}{\cfrac{1}{3}x}+\stackrel{\textit{coaches}}{5}=\stackrel{\textit{total}}{41}\implies \cfrac{x}{3}+5=41\implies \cfrac{x}{3}=41-5 \\\\\\ \cfrac{x}{3}=36\implies x=3(36)\implies x=108[/tex]
now, to verify, well, what do you get for (108/3) + 5?
