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?

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

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