The number 0.003 written in scientific notation is 3 times 10^-3 why is the exponent negative?

It's negative because the number is less than one.

Step-by-step explanation:

Also, you would move the decimal to the left, instead of the right, when it was a whole number. If it was a whole number getting bigger, than the exponent would be positive, but the number is getting smaller and becoming a decimal, so the exponent is negative.

Hope this helps!

step-by-step explanation:

the ratio of red paint to blue paint is always 9/7. that means that, whatever x's value, (4x+12)/(4x-4) has that same ratio. so, set up an equation and cross-multiply to solve for x:

9/7 = (4x+12)/(4x-4)

9(4x-4) = 7(4x+12)

36x - 36 = 28x + 84

8x - 36 = 84

8x = 120

x = 15