Consider an ionic solid $\mathrm{MX}$, with $\mathrm{NaCl}$ structure. Construct a new structure $\left(\mathrm{Z}\right)$, whose unit cell is constructed from the unit cell of $\mathrm{MX}$, following the sequential instructions given below. Neglect the charge balance.
$\left(\mathrm{i}\right)$ Remove all the anions $\left(\mathrm{X}\right)$, except the central one.
$\left(\mathrm{ii}\right)$ Replace all the face centered cations $\left(\mathrm{M}\right)$, by anions $\left(\mathrm{X}\right)$.
$\left(\mathrm{iii}\right)$ Remove all the corner cations $\left(\mathrm{M}\right)$.
$\left(\mathrm{iv}\right)$ Replace the central anion $\left(\mathrm{X}\right)$, with cation $\left(\mathrm{M}\right)$.
The value of $\left(\frac{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{ }\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{ }\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{s}}{\mathrm{n}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{ }\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{ }\mathrm{c}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{s}}\right)$ in $\mathrm{Z}$ is _____.

Apply the relevant identity from the chapter and substitute the values established in the previous step, keeping the original constraint in view.

Use the simplified expression to isolate the unknown, then plug the result back into the question setup to confirm the working is internally consistent.

Cross-check against a boundary or limiting case. Both the dimensional balance and the qualitative behaviour at the extreme should agree with the candidate answer.

Combine the steps above to identify the correct option. The remaining choices each fail at least one of the consistency, dimensional, or boundary checks.