The chemical formula for an ionic compound represents the ratio of the combined ions present in a sample.
A sample of an ionic compound doesn't represent a multiple of distinct molecules, like a sample of a covalent compound, where the chemical formula does represent the number of atoms in a single, differentiated molecule. Ionic compounds form crystal lattices where each positively charged cation is surrounded by negatively charged anions and vice versa. Thus, the chemical formula of an ionic compound merely describes the ratio of cations and anions present in the crystal lattice.
The total number of ions in the lattice can, on the other hand, be calculated using the mass of the sample and Avogadro's number.
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