The formula for Epsom salts can be written as MgSO4•xH2O, where x indicates the number of water molecules. Epsom salts, a strong laxative used in veterinary medicine, is a hydrate, which means that a certain number of water molecules are included in the solid structure. When 5.061g of this hydrate is heated to 250°C, all of the water of hydration is lost, leaving the 2.472 g of MgSO4. Estimate the formula for Epsom salts?