Problem:
For a science project, Sammy observed a chipmunk and a squirrel stashing acorns in holes. The chipmunk hid acorns in each of the holes it dug. The squirrel hid acorns in each of the holes it dug. They each hid the same number of acorns, although the squirrel needed fewer holes. How many acorns did the chipmunk hide?
Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
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E.
Solution:
Let be the number of holes dug by the chipmunk. Then the chipmunk hid acorns, while the squirrel hid acorns. Since they hid the same number of acorns, . Solving gives . Thus the chipmunk hid acorns.
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions