Example: H2 + O2 = H2O
on the elements side write hydrogen and oxygen. In the reactants side for hydrogen write 2 and for oxygen write 2. in the products side for hydrogen write 2 and for oxygen write 1 . now oxygen is not balanced here . so now balance oxygen first . to balance oxygen multiply H2O by 2, this will balance oxygen element.but it will disturb hydrogen element. so to balance this hydrogen element multiply hydrogen by 2.
2H2 +O2 = 2H2O
now check the number of atoms. Hydrogen has 4 atoms on element side and also it has 4 atoms on product side. in the reactant side oxygen has 2 atoms and it has 2 atoms on product side also . now the equation is balanced.