1) in periodic acid (HIO₄), iodine has oxidation number +7, hydrogen has oxidation number +1, oxygen has -2, compound has neutral charge:
+1 + x + 4 · (-2) = 0.
x = +7.
2) in molecule of iodine (I₂), iodine has oxidation number 0, because iodine is nonpolar molecule.
3) in sodium iodide (NaI), iodine has oxidation number -1, sodium has oxidation number +1:
+1 + x = 0.
x = -1.
4) in iodic acid (HIO₃), iodine has oxidation number +5, hydrogen has oxidation number +1, oxygen has -2, compound has neutral charge:
+1 + x + 3 · (-2) = 0.
x = +5.
