Question

Ashley's penny bank is 1/3 full. After she removes 240 pennies, it is 1/9 full. How many pennies can Ashley's bank hold?

Answer 1

x = total amount in her bank

1/3x - 240 = 1/9x
1/3x - 1/9x = 240
3/9x - 1/9x = 240
2/9x = 240
x = 240 / (2/9)
x = 240 * 9/2
x = 2160/2
x = 1080 <===

check....1/3(1080) - 240 = 1/9(1080)
360 - 240 = 120
120 = 120 (correct)

so her bank can hold 1080 pennies

Answer 2

find change or loss
1/3 to 1/9
make denom 9
1/3 times 3/3=3/9
from 3/9 to 1/9 is change of 2/9

so, 240 was removed
240=2/9 of the bank
times both sides by 9/2
2160/2=18/18 of the bank
1080=bank
can hold 1080 pennies