When oxygen is found is peroxide, it has an oxidation number of -1.
The chemical formula of hydrogen peroxide is H2O2. We know that hydrogen always has +1 oxidation state until it forms metal hydrides. So in H2O2, the oxidation state ofhydrogen is +1.
Now, let oxidation state of oxygen be x. So,
2 * (+1) + 2*x = 0
2 + 2x = 0
2x = -2
x = -2 / 2
x = -1
Hence, the oxidation number of oxygen in peroxides is -1
