We want the net charge and number of ions to be equal on both sides of the final balanced equation.For this example, let's consider a redox reaction between KMnO4and HI in an acidic solution:MnO4- + I- ??? I2 + Mn2+Separate the two half reactions:I- ??? I2MnO4- ??? Mn2+To balance the atoms of each half-reaction, first balance all of the atoms except H and O. For an acidic solution, next add H2O to