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?
$\textbf{(A)}\ 30\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 36\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 42\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 48\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 54$
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 $\textbf{(D)}$