text: you use the oxidation state (charge) of the anions, which are usually constant:\n\nNO3 = -1\n\nso AgNO3  Ag= +1\nCu(NO3)2 Cu= +2\nNote: total charge of these 2 molecules is zero, allowing for this conclusion.\n\nAlso, Ag typically has a state of +1 as a cation