Skip to the end for the short version :o)
First things first. We need to know the structure of the molecule/ion. This is because oxidation state is defined as the charge on an atom IF all of the bonds were 100% ionic.
So, without speculating about the structure (which is a common pitfall leading to false assumptions), we can find it at sigmaaldrich.com.
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/search/ProductDetail/RIEDEL/60352
As you can see, if the bonds were completely ionic, the oxygen that surrounds the phosphorus would pull the electrons from the phoshorus, causing a single positive charge for each single-bonded oxygen atom, and a double positive charge due to the double-bonded oxygen atom.
Since there are 4 oxygen atoms per phosphorus, and one with a double-bond, the hypothetical positive charge would thus be +5.
SHORT VERSION:
+5 is the oxidation state of each phosphorus atom.
2007-05-18 06:13:51
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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4 x H(+1) = +4
7 x O(-2) = -14
The two P atoms together must be equal to +10 so that the overall charge is zero. Therefore each P has to be +5.
2007-05-18 05:58:45
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answer #3
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answered by mrfarabaugh 6
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