Equation

[Kate Manganaro 1F]

In high school I learned a different equation for the formal charge. It is FC = valence e- - owned e- (the electrons that the atom has in the structure. The equation we learned in class is FC = VE - NE - 1/2 * BE. I believe you get the same answer either way, but is one equation more reliable to use than the other?

[nelquosey]

I would use the one we learnt in class to get my answer and use the high school one to check my answer.

[alexagreco1A]

It seems like the one you learned in high school may be a simplified version. Although it gives you the right answer, I feel like you should use the one that was given to us in class in terms of which will be more reliable.

[Chem_Mod]

They are the same thing. I can put it in the same perspective.

FC = valence e- - owned e- = VE - (Lone pair e- + 1/2 * Bonding e-) = VE - LPE - 1/2BE