We are tasked to solve for the ratio of the two boxes. Boxes are cubes. We can use the formula in solving the surface area of the box as shown below: Surface Area of Cube = 6a² where "a" is the length of the side. For smaller box: Area= 6(12)²=864 Area =864 For the larger box: Area = 6(18)² Area=1944
Then, the ratio is: Area smaller box/Area larger box =864/1944 Ratio=4:9
-6 can be written as such an infinite number of ways (just as any rational can be). For example, -6/1, 6/-1, 12/-2, -666/111 and so indeed -6 is rational.
