AXE method (chemistry)

In chemistry, The AXE method is commonly used in formatting molecules to fit the VSEPR model that aims to explain molecular geometry.

The A represents the central atom and is always (implied) subscript one. The X represents how many bonds are formed between the central atoms and outside atoms. Multiple covalent bonds (double, triple, etc) count as one X. The E represents the number of lone electron pairs present outside of the central atom. Once the AXE formula has been found, the following table will predict the geometric configuration around the central atom.