need help placing Oxidation numbers for Pb3O4

Question

abb0t · Answer

You have an overall neutral charge
and oxygen usually carries a -2 charge, so you have 4 of them, 
what number must you have to give you an overall charge for Pb?

anonymous · Answer

theres 3 pb so would you have to divive 8 by 3? cuz 4*-2=-8

anonymous · Answer

oh and sorry i took so long to answer

anonymous · Answer

according to this I have to treat Pb3 as Pb2 http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130525034348AA6MFHx

wolfe8 · Answer

It is saying that Pb3O4 exists as a mixture of PbO and PbO2 together. So you will have 2 different Pb with different oxidation numbers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%28II,IV%29_oxide

abb0t · Answer

Yep. Transition metals are often difficult to work with. At least for me.