Problem:
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?
Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
D.
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