Competition problem — Algebra — Maths Olympiad Prep

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Algebra Difficulty 1.7 Junior Find the answer

For a science project, Sammy observed a chipmunk and a squirrel stashing acorns in holes. The chipmunk hid 3 acorns in each of the holes it dug. The squirrel hid 4 acorns in each of the holes it dug. They each hid the same number of acorns, although the squirrel needed 4 fewer holes. How many acorns did the chipmunk hide?

Pick one

Solution

Let $x$ be the number of acorns that both animals had.
So by the info in the problem:
$\frac{x}{3}=\left( \frac{x}{4} \right)+4$
Subtracting $\frac{x}{4}$ from both sides leaves
$\frac{x}{12}=4$
$\boxed{x=48}$
This is answer choice $\textbf{(D)}$

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