Chemistry: Branched Molecules

2-methyl-4-ethylhexane? What is this? It is a molecules with two branches. It looks like this:
To figure out why it is named this, we must (as in the Alkane Names blog) find, the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms, which is 6 thats hex. That explains the hexane at the end.

But what about the methyl and the ethyl. Those have to do with the branches (the carbon chains connected to the hexane). Lets start with the branch with one carbon atom 1 = meth and all 'branches end in yl. So that,s methyl.

The same applies to the branch with to atoms, 2 = eth, ethyl.

How do you explain the numbers? That is it what atom the branch is conected two in relation to the edge. But, you would get to two numbers, methyl could be connected two 5 or 2.

You always chose the end closest to the branch. In this case the right end: 2. That gives you 2-*methyl. Use the same edge with ethyl: 4. That's 4-ehtyl.

All together: 2-methyl-4-ethylhexane.

*Separate letters and numbers with hyphens -.

Sources: Yotube (these are cool videos)