Question 475289
We can let C and H be the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Then C + H = 26, and H = 3C - 6. Substituting our expression for H, we get C + (3C - 6) = 26, 4C - 6 = 26, C = 8. Since C + H = 26, we get H = 18.


Or, if you know that octane is *[tex \LARGE C_6H_{18}] you can skip right to the answer...chemistry teachers might like this but probably not math teachers...