Balancing redox reactions!

[tbz709]

Just a simple question. When Balancing redox reactions and there are charges on both sides, do they add directly?

I have.. Mno₄^- + Cl^- -> Mn²⁺ + Cl₂
Balanced Mn to have 9e^- when adding charges directly on both sides of the equation but I don't think that it makes sense. I have an example in my notes where two -'s on either side of an equation balances to create a 2e^-.

Thank you
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tbz709

[tbz709]

I figured out today what I was doing.. I was trying to make it equal zero all together and not balance each side to be the same!

[ruvimbogee]

why don't u start by balancing then electrons first.