In CH3 (CH2)12 CH3 there are 3 elements and 44 atoms... How is that?

Question

All the numbers are supposed to be in subscript. So it's CH [lil 3](CH [lil2] ) [lil12] CH [lil3]. Pretend there are no spaces.

In CH3(CH212CH3 there are 3 elements and 44 atoms... Why?

Answer 1

This compound is 14 carbons long.
The computer will not let me draw 14 C's with H's
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3

There are not 3 elements, just carbon and hydrogen
There are 44 atoms, 14 carbon and 30 hydrogen

C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C
Each carbon has 4 arms reaching out to hang on.
The end ones are holding 3 H and the next carbon
The central ones are holding onto 2 carbons and 2 hydrogens each

Answer 2

There are indeed only 2 elements and 44 atoms.

Count them up. You have 14 carbons, and 30 hydrogens.

This compound is an alkane, with a name something like tetradecane, or whatever the proper Greek prefix is for 14.