Which of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 when placed as a denominator in the fraction 17/? , gives a result closest to 2 1/2

If we try all the numbers then we'll have:
17/4 = 4.25
17/5 = 3.4
17/6 = 2.83
17/7 = 2.42
17/8 = 2.12

the closest number to 2 1/2 would be 2.12
which is 17/8.

the law of definite proportions states samples of a compound will always contain the same proportion of elements by mass. in other words, a given compound will always contain the same elements in the same proportions by mass.the law of multiple proportions states when two elements combine with each other to form more than one compound, then the weights of one element that combine with a fixed weight of the other are in a ratio of small whole numbers.