Oxidation numbers, Electronegativity, & Naming Conventions

[el_alquimista]

Hey, everyone. I'm taking general chemistry right now and I'm having a bit of trouble getting down some of the stuff. In particular, how to find a compound's oxidation numbers (i.e. Na1+ Cl1-), especially for the more complicated compounds and also in remembering the naming conventions (carbon monoxide; CO).

If there's anyone who could give me an abbrieved, straight-forward explanation to ions, oxidation numbers and determining what they are for whatever compound and the naming conventions, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!


-El Alquimista