Question

f the formula for a compound is represented by X2Y3 and the charge on the Y ion is -2, what is the charge in the X ion?

Answer 1

number of positive ions * charge on the positive ions +number of negative ions * charge on the negative ions has to equal 0 for the atom to be electrically neutral.

You have 3 Y ions, each with a 2- charge, so that's a total of 3*2- = 6-.

You have 2 X ions, you don't know the charge on them, but 2*<X charge> = 6+ for the positive and negative charges to cancel each other out.