Question 661831
x = starting money

x - 2/3x - 2/3(x-2/3x) = 8
distribute the 2/3
x - 2/3x - 2/3x + 4/9x = 8
x + -2/3x + -2/3x + 4/9x = 8
in other words, dealing just with coefficients of x
1 + -2/3 + -2/3 + 4/9
with common denominators
9/9 + -6/9 + -6/9 + 4/9
9 - 12 + 4 = 1
1/9x = 8
Multiply both sides by 9
x = 72 = $72 started with
Proof
72 - 2/3(72) = 72 - 48 = 24
24 - 2/3(24) = 24 - 16 = 8