Consider the structure above
How many carbon atoms does the parent chain contain?

5
4
3
2
Explanation
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A picture qill appear
But even with the picture, the answer MYSCHOOL pickes is wrong
The longest chain will be the parent chain while others are substituents
So the longest carbon chain here is 4

this is now getting too much alot of diagrams are being omitted 
My school you guys should take note

THE SELECTED ANSWER IS WRONG
the compound is named 2methylbutanoic acid making buta the parent chain with 4 carbon atoms
so the correct option is B

The structure above represents a hydrocarbon chain. The parent chain is the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms. Letβs count:
Starting from the leftmost carbon, follow the chain through all connected carbons.
There are three carbon atoms in the parent chain.
Thus, the parent chain contains 3 carbon atoms.

