If y represents the additional lifespan of the goldfish, then 8+y will represent its total lifespan. We expect that value to be less than the longest lifespan on record, so we have
... 8 + y ≤ 41
The solution to this is found by subtracting 8 from both sides of the equation. Doing that gives you
... y ≤ 33
This almost corresponds to selection ...
... a. 8 + y ≤ 41; y = 33