How do you balance an equation

First write out the equation given:Na + O₂ —> Na₂ONow count how many oxygen atoms are on the LHS of equation (2) and how many are on the RHS (1). This means you must put a 2 in front of the Na₂O to BALANCE the oxygens:Na + O₂ —> 2 Na₂ONow count how many sodium atoms are in the LHS of equation (1) and how many are on the RHS (4). This means you must put a 4 in front of the Na to BALANCE the sodium’s:4Na + O₂ —> 2Na₂O