Answer: the calculation of the number of atoms conserved in the desired product rather than in waste.
Explanation:
Atom economy gives how much desired product is obtained compared to amount of starting materials.
[tex]\text {Atom economy}=\frac{\text {molecular weight of desired product}}{\text {molecular weight of all products}}\times 100%[/tex]
For example:
[tex]CH_4+2O_2\rightarrow CO_2+2H_2O[/tex]
[tex]\text {atom economy of water}=\frac{\text {molecular weight of desired product}}{\text {molecular weight of all products}}\times 100%[/tex]
[tex]\text {atom economy of water}=\frac{36}{44+36}\times 100%=45\%[/tex]
Thus atom economy for water is 45%