, You have carbon only in the carbon dioxide and in the sodium bicarbonate, so the same amount of moles are present from beginning to end in the balanced equation. Obtain molar mass of CO2 and NaHCO3 Mass of CO2 DIVIDED BY molar mass of CO2 gives moles of CO2. Check, by equation You have 2 moles of CO2 at the end and 2 moles of NaHCO3 at the beginning Then the same amount of moles of both are the same. Now You have moles of NaHCO3 MULTIPLY molar mass of NaHCO3 BY moles of NaHCO3 to get only mass of NaHCO3 initial.