In this example, we will balance the equation for a chemical reaction by balancing the ions on each side. Our problem reads: aqueous sodium phosphate reacts with aqueous nickel (II) nitrate to produce solid nickel (II) phosphate and aqueous sodium nitrate. To write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction, we'll start by listing out the products and reactants that were given. Since all of our compounds are ionic, we can balance the ions on both sides. So, we'll balance: ● Sodium plus phosphate ● Nickel (II) plus ● Nitrate Now, we'll start by balancing the ions in our most complicated ionic compound, nickel (II) phosphate. If we balance our phosphate, we have 2 phosphate on the right. To get 2 phosphate on the left, we'll need 2 sodium phosphate. Next, we can balance our nickel (II) plus. Right now, we have 3 nickel (II) plus on the right. So, to get 3 nickel (II) plus on the left, we'll need 3 nickel (II) nitrate. Lastly, we can balance sodium and nitrate. We currently have six sodium plus on the left. So, to get 6 sodium plus on the right, we need 6 sodium nitrate. We can double-check to make sure our nitrates are also balanced. Right now, we have 6 on the left and 6 on the right. Therefore, the coefficients for this balanced chemical reaction would be: 2, 3, and implied 1 & 6.