To draw an ethyl isomer, start by drawing the main carbon chain for the molecule. In this case, for 3-ethylheptane, the main chain would be seven carbons long. Next, locate the third carbon in the chain and add an ethyl group (CH3CH2) to it, making sure to place the ethyl group on the correct side of the chain. The final structure should look like a straight chain with a "branch" coming off at the third carbon.
To draw a combination of methyl and ethyl, such as in 2-methyl-3-ethylhexane, start by drawing the main carbon chain, which in this case would be six carbons long. Next, locate the second carbon in the chain and add a methyl group (CH3) to it. Then, locate the third carbon and add an ethyl group (CH3CH2) to it. The final structure should look like a straight chain with a "branch" at the second carbon with a methyl group and a "branch" at the third carbon with an ethyl group.