Question

A compound is 52.14% C, 13.13% H, and 34.73% O by mass. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Give the compound a mass of 100 grams, so that the mass of each element is
C=52.14% of 100g = 52.14g
H=13.13g
O=34.73g

convert the mass to moles
divide the mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated
round to nearest whole number, this is the mole ratio / subscripts

Answer 2

C=52.14% of 100g = 52.14g
H=13.13g
O=34.73g