Mrs. burns has a certain number of pennies. she gives ben 2 pennies and 1/3 of what she has left. she then gives audrey 2 pennies and 1/3 of what is left. what is the smallest number of pennies mrs. burns could have started with and still have some pennies left?

The smallest number of pennies is 5.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let initially Mrs. Burns have x pennies.

According to the question, She gives Ben 2 pennies and 1/3 of what she has left.

Thus remaining pennies = 2/3(x-2)

Again, She gives Audrey 2 pennies and 1/3 of what is left.

Then remaining pennies = 2/3(2/3(x-2)-2) = 4/9(x-2)-4/3

Since, For smallest number of pennies,

4/9(x-2)-4/3 ≥ 0

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Therefore smallest number of pennies she could, is 5.