Note: Minimize the number of coefficients but use at least TWO letter coefficients, usually a and b. This reduces the number of required equations. For example, use '2b ? 2a' instead of 'c'. Fill each remaining blank line with a DIFFERENT letter coefficient or, if possible, use expressions in terms of existing letter coefficients. Repeat step 1, if needed, with another letter coefficient. For example, the letter coefficient could be 'a' and the coefficient for the other side could be '2a'. If the element is not balanced, put first the letter coefficient at the side with the GREATER number of atoms for that element, and balance the other side in terms of the same letter coefficient. If the selected element is already balanced, put the SAME letter coefficient at its blank lines. You may put a vertical line above the symbol to remind yourself that you have already selected that element or ion. Select the element (or ion) whose symbol appears only ONCE at the left side of the equation and ONCE at the right side. Put a blank line before each term where each coefficient will be placed. The steps of the method are as follows: 0. The simplified or easy algebraic method works like inspection but uses algebraic expressions to represent the value coefficients and solves only a few algebraic equations.

This method is systematic, can be applied to difficult reactions and can be easily used with equation solvers but it is time-consuming for manual balancing of chemical equations. The algebraic method uses algebraic equations and/or matrices. It is fast but it is confusing to use for an equation with many terms and the final result must be double checked to prove that the chemical equation is indeed balanced.

Inspection is the usual method of balancing chemical equations. For redox equations, the methods are oxidation number and half-reactions method.

Balancing Chemical Equations ? Easy Algebraic Method by Jamin Santiago The methods of balancing chemical equations are inspection, algebraic and simplified algebraic method.

Algebraic chemical equation balancer