What is the general formula for a fatty acid?

The general formula for a fatty acid is represented as CH3(CH2)nCOOH, where 'n' can vary and indicates the number of methylene groups (CH2) present in the carbon chain. This structure highlights the essential components of fatty acids, which include a hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail (the CH3 and (CH2)n portions) and a hydrophilic carboxylic acid group (COOH) at one end.

This formula accommodates the variability in chain length found in fatty acids, as different fatty acids can have differing numbers of carbons and, consequently, different properties. The flexibility to change 'n' allows for the representation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of various lengths.

The other choices represent specific fatty acids or different types of compounds that do not capture the general structure of fatty acids effectively.