Why Does 3-Methylheptane Have 18 Hydrogens Instead of 16?

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3-Methylheptane contains 18 hydrogens due to its structure, which includes 8 carbon atoms instead of 7. The correct formula for alkanes, CnH2n+2, indicates that for 8 carbons, the total hydrogen count is C8H18. The confusion arises from miscounting the carbon atoms; 3-methylheptane includes a methyl group (-CH3) attached to the third carbon of heptane, leading to the total of 18 hydrogens.

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So I am given 3-methylheptane I know that it looks like this:


CH3-CH2-CH-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3
And the methyl group is attached to CH

It is heptane so I have 7 carbons and a total of 15 Hydrogens but I don't understand why it isn't 16 Hydrogens don't I use the formula
CnH2n+2=16Hydrogen
If I don't use the formula then how do I determine the number of Hydrogens?

Can someone please explain, I don't understand why one of it's Hydrogen is replaced with methyl, thanks!
 
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3-Methylheptane actually contains 8 carbons, not seven (Remember the naming, it is heptane (7 carbons), plus a methy group (on the 3rd carbon) is a -CH3 group). Thus, using your formula CnH2n+2, you should have C8H18, not C7H16 or C8H16. :)

By the way, the structural skeleton form is: CH3-CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3
 

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