Examples

Br is the central atom:

 

 

There are 7 + 3×7 = 28 electrons and 6 are taken to make three covalent bonds. Each fluorine takes 6 electrons, therefore there are 28 – (6 + 3×6) = 4 electrons left, which go on the Br as two lone pairs:

 

 

The central atom has 3 atoms and 2 lone pairs, therefore, the electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal, while the molecular geometry is T-shaped:

 

 

 

Notice that the lone pair does not go in axial positions (up or down).

There are 5 units (atoms and lone pairs) on the central atom, and to accommodate them, it needs 5 orbitals which is achieved through sp3d hybridization.

 

Check this 99-question multiple-choice quiz on Geometry and Hybridization:

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Geometry and Hybridization Quiz

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