It's not accurate to talk about the oxidation number of the entire compound H₂SO₄. Oxidation numbers are assigned to individual elements *within* a compound. Here's how to determine the oxidation numbers of each element in H₂SO₄:

* Hydrogen (H): Hydrogen typically has an oxidation number of +1, except when bonded to metals (like in hydrides). Here, it's bonded to a nonmetal, so it's +1.

* Sulfur (S): We need to figure this out.

* Oxygen (O): Oxygen typically has an oxidation number of -2, unless in peroxides (where it's -1).

To find the oxidation number of sulfur, we can use the following:

1. The sum of the oxidation numbers in a neutral compound is zero.

2. We know the oxidation numbers of hydrogen and oxygen.

So, let's set up the equation:

2(+1) + x + 4(-2) = 0

Where "x" represents the oxidation number of sulfur.

Simplifying the equation:

2 + x - 8 = 0

x = +6

Therefore, the oxidation numbers are:

* H: +1

* S: +6

* O: -2