Let x and y be the number of holes dug by the chipmunk and the squirrel, respectively.
Therefore, the number of hidden acorns by each animal is given by the equations below
[tex]\begin{gathered} a_{chipmunk}=3x \\ a_{squirrel}=4y \end{gathered}[/tex]On the other hand, since the squirrel needed 4 fewer holes, and the number of hidden acorns is the same
[tex]\begin{gathered} y=x-4 \\ and \\ a_{chipmunk}=a_{squirrel} \end{gathered}[/tex]Thus,
[tex]\begin{gathered} \Rightarrow3x=4y \\ \Rightarrow3x=4(x-4) \\ \Rightarrow3x=4x-16 \\ \Rightarrow x=16 \end{gathered}[/tex]Hence,
[tex]\Rightarrow16*3=48[/tex]