Chemistry - Salt Analysis Question with Solution | TestHub

When Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O is strongly heated, it forms two different products, (X) and (Y). Compound (Y) is also formed when excess sulfur is treated with a caustic soda solution. Compound (X) gives a white precipitate with barium chloride solution, which is insoluble in dilute hydrochloric acid.

If $a$ = total number of equal bond lengths in one formula unit of compound (X) and

$b$ = total number of bonds between identical atoms in one formula unit of (Y),

find the value of $a\times b$.