Now lets see how we derive the coefficients for the balanced equation when
liquid butane (C₄H₁₀) burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas and water vapour (H₂O).

To start balancing the equation it is easier to pick an element that appears once on each side of the equation. In this case you can start with either hydogen or carbon
as oxygen appears twic on the right of the equation
Step 1 Let's start with carbon. We have four carbon atoms on the left and one on the right so lets put four molecules of CO₂ on the right. This will balance for carbon.

Step 2 Now let's balance for hydrogens. We have ten hydrogen atoms on the left and two on the right, so lets put five H₂O molecules on the right side to make a total of 10 hydrogen atoms.

Step 3 Now we have to balance for oxygen atoms. We have 2 atoms on the left and thirteen atoms on the right, so let's put six and a half molecules of oxygen on the left.

Step 4 Since we cannot have fractions of molecules, we will multiply the entire equation by 2 to remove the fraction.