Final answer:
The value of x where t87.5 = x * t50 for a first-order chemical reaction is 3 because the half-life of a first-order reaction is a constant period of time independent of the concentration of the reactant.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a first-order reaction, the half-life is defined as the time required for the reactant concentration to decrease to one-half its initial value.
The relationship between the time required for a first-order reaction to undergo 87.5% completion (t₈₇.₅) and the time required for 50% completion (t₅₀) can be expressed as t₈₇.₅ = x * t₅₀. The value of x will depend on the order of the reaction.
For a first-order reaction, the value of x is equal to 3.54. Therefore, the equation becomes t₈₇.₅ = 3.54 * t₅₀.
So, for a first-order reaction, the value of x is approximately 4.