Final answer:
The number of atoms and the need for balanced equations require adjustments to formulas and coefficients to follow the octet rule and achieve balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason why it can't be just as simple as the number of C, H & F atoms respectively instead of (C - 1), (H+1) & F is because of the octet rule and the need for balanced equations. The octet rule states that second-row elements like C, H, O, and F cannot have more than eight valence electrons. To ensure that each atom follows this rule, the formula is adjusted accordingly. Likewise, equations need to be balanced, meaning that the number of each type of atom on the reactant side must be equal to the number on the product side. Coefficients are used to achieve this balance.