Hello from MrBillDoesMath!
Answer:
The first choice ( -12, 20)
Discussion:
Using matrix multiplication we find the equations:
1x + 1y = 8 (A)
2x + 3y = 36 (B)
Next, compute
2(A) - B =>
(2x + 2y) - (2x + 3y) = 2*8 - 36 =>
(2x - 2x) + ( 2y-3y) = 16 - 36 =>
-y = -20 =>
y = 20
Substituting this y value in (A) gives
x + 20 = 8 =>
x = 8 - 20 =>
x = -12
The answer is the first choice ( -12, 20)
Thank you,
MrB
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.

now, to verify, well, what do you get for (108/3) + 5?
The value of x will be 23