2012 AMC 12B Problem 3

Problem 3 of 25EasierAlgebra

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?

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Solution

Let

h

be the number of holes the chipmunk dug. The chipmunk hid

3h

acorns and the squirrel hid

4(h-4)

acorns. Since they hid the same number,

3h=4(h-4),

which gives

h=16.

The chipmunk hid

3\cdot16=48

acorns. Thus, the correct answer is D.