[_Weirdo_0.o]

There's a picture of the problem from one of my quizzes.  I have the solution but don't understand it.
Can anyone tell me why the longest chain is that cyclohexadexane?  Are you just supposed to know that it's a cyclo with huge substituents? The answer is:

3,3-dibromo-1-sec-butyl-6-tert-butyl-2-heptyl-7-cycloheptyl-13-isobutyl-14-isopropyl-5,12-dimethyl-10-neopentyl-8-pentadecyl-4-propylcyclohexadecane

[EpicWinston]

Because the longest carbon chain is the cyclohexadecane (16 carbons) its in the middle

[EpicWinston]

Here is a picture for clarity

[_Weirdo_0.o]

During the test, I didn't see the cyclo so I started at the end of that pentadecane 
But, the rule is: look for the longest CONTINUOUS chain?  My prof never specified.. that, or I wasn't paying attention Dx

[EpicWinston]

yea the rule is look for the longest continuous chain.

[_Weirdo_0.o]

Thanks again! 
Also, can you please explain neo-pentyl and iso-pentyl's names?  Like, I understand that tert-butyl uses "tert" because the middle Carbon is attached to 3 other carbons.  But, why neo and iso?

[EpicWinston]

It depends on how many carbons are bonded to the alkyl group: alkyl groups with the prefix iso has a secondary carbon, alkyl groups with the prefix tert has a tertiary carbon, and alkyl groups with the prefix neo has a quaternary carbon.

[EpicWinston]

You are probably going to ask how to identify primary, secondary, tertiary and, quaternary.
primary - bonded to one carbon atom
secondary - boned with two carbon atoms
tertiary - bonded with three carbon atoms
quaternary - bonded with four carbon atoms

[_Weirdo_0.o]

Thanks so much 
I'll probs be back with more questions haha

[EpicWinston]

here was the picture I forgot to post 

[_Weirdo_0.o]

Thanks