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How to Balance:

Word equation: Zinc + Silver nitrate → Silver + Zinc nitrate

Type of Chemical Reaction: For this reaction we have a single displacement reaction.

Balancing Strategies: In this single displacement reaction Zn is replacing the Ag in AgNO3.

To balance this equation it is easiest to consider the NO3 to be one item. There is one NO3 on the reactant and two on the product side of the equation.

For a complete explanation, watch:

When balancing chemical equations our goal is to have the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Only change the coefficients (these are the numbers in front substances).
Never change the subscripts (the small numbers after elements).