1) Determine mass of water driven off:
15.67 minus 7.58 = 8.09 g of water
2) Determine moles of MgCO3 and water:
MgCO3 ⇒ 7.58 g / 84.313 g/mol = 0.0899 mol
H2O ⇒ 8.09 g / 18.015 g/mol = 0.449 mol3) Find a whole number molar ratio:
MgCO3 ⇒ 0.0899 mol / 0.0899 mol = 1
H2O ⇒ 0.449 mol / 0.0899 mol = 5MgCO3 · 5H2O