Step 1: Assume 100 g of the compound

Mass of C = 54.2 g
Mass of H = 9.2 g
Mass of O = 36.6 g

Step 2: Convert mass into number of moles

Moles of C = 54.2 / 12 = 4.52
Moles of H = 9.2 / 1 = 9.2
Moles of O = 36.6 / 16 = 2.29

Step 3: Find simplest whole number ratio

Divide all by smallest value (2.29):

C : 4.52 / 2.29 ≈ 2
H : 9.2 / 2.29 ≈ 4
O : 2.29 / 2.29 = 1

Step 4: Write empirical formula

Empirical formula = C₂H₄O

Step 5: Calculate empirical formula mass

Empirical formula mass = (2×12) + (4×1) + (16)
= 24 + 4 + 16 = 44 g mol⁻¹

Step 6: Calculate molecular formula

Molecular mass / Empirical mass = 132 / 44 = 3

Molecular formula = (C₂H₄O)₃ = C₆H₁₂O₃