Why are combustion reactions taught as BOTH word equations, and symbol equations?

I believe—though I could be mistaken—that you are referring to combustion reactions, in which a hydrocarbon burns entirely or partially with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Accordingly, for pentane, we write:

If this were our intention, which it is!, we would write the imbalanced equation as follows:

Thus, maintain a carbon balance:

Furthermore, the hydrogen:

Next, the oxygen

Thus, the carbons, hydrogens, and oxygens have all been balanced in order to produce the stoichiometrically balanced equation. However, this can occasionally cause issues when applied to even-numbered alkanes.

Some would argue that the equation should be doubled to get: since you cannot have half integral coefficients.

Combustion reactions are taught using both word equations and symbol equations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the chemical process involved. Word equations describe the reaction in a descriptive form using words, while symbol equations represent the reaction using chemical symbols and formulas, which is more precise and allows for quantitative analysis. This dual approach helps students grasp both the conceptual and mathematical aspects of combustion reactions.

Combustion reactions are taught as both word equations and symbol equations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the chemical process. Word equations help in understanding the reaction conceptually by describing the reactants and products in words. Symbol equations, on the other hand, provide a precise representation of the reaction using chemical symbols and formulas. Both formats are essential as they cater to different learning styles and levels of understanding. Additionally, symbol equations are crucial for communication within the scientific community as they provide a standardized notation that is universally understood.

Combustion reactions are taught using both word equations and symbol equations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the reaction. Word equations describe the reaction using words, which helps learners understand the substances involved and the overall process. Symbol equations, on the other hand, use chemical symbols and formulas to represent the reaction more precisely, showing the chemical formulas of reactants and products and indicating the balanced nature of the reaction. By learning both types of equations, students gain a deeper comprehension of combustion reactions and develop the skills necessary for communicating and manipulating chemical reactions effectively.