How do you use a chemical formula to tell how the elements are bonded?

A chemical formula indicates the types and numbers of atoms in a compound but does not explicitly show how they are bonded. However, the arrangement of elements can provide clues; for example, a formula with a metal and a nonmetal (like NaCl) typically indicates ionic bonding, while a formula consisting of only nonmetals (like CO2) suggests covalent bonding. Additionally, the presence of parentheses and subscripts can indicate complex structures and the presence of polyatomic ions. To fully understand the bonding, one may need to refer to the compound's structural formula or molecular geometry.