empirical formulas"

p 889(153e)

This doesn't tell me much. We don't know what course you're taking, much less the book being used.

chemistry, my textbook is modern chemistry

i found the actual problem:

2.8% hydrogen, 9.8% nitrogen,20.5% nickel, 44.5% oxygen, and 22.4% sulfur

determine empirical formula for compounds

You do this the same way I've show you in the last few days to do them.

Take 100 g sample which gives you
2.8 g H.
9.8 g N
20.5g Ni
44.5 O
22.4 S.

Convert each to mols by mols = grams/atomic mass.
Then find the ratio of the elements to each other. The easy way is to divide the smallest number by itself then divide all of the other numbers by the same small number. Post your work if you get stuck.

The notation "p 889(153e)" does not provide enough context or information for me to understand what you are asking. Could you please provide more details or rephrase your question?