Balance the combustion eqation; __c5h + __o2 > __co2+__h2o

This equation C5H + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O has a mistake.

C5H is wrong. You missed the subscript of H.

I will do it for you assuming some subscript to show you the procedure, but you have to use the right equation to get the right balanced equation.

Assuming the tha combustion equation is C5H12 + O2 ---> CO2 + H2O

First you need to  balance C, so you put a 5 before CO2 and get

C5H12 + O2 ---> 5CO2 + H2O

Now you count the hydrogens: 12 on the left and 2 on the right. So put a 6 before H2O and get:

C5H12 + O2 ---> 5CO2 + 6H2O

Now count the oxygens: 2 on the left and 16 on the right, so put an 8 on before O2:

=> C5H12 + 8O2 ---> 5CO2 + 6H2O.

You can verify that the equation is balanced

So what you would do is go through and add 3 teaspoons(tsp) 6 times because of the 6 tablespoons(tbsp). which will give you an answer of 18. another way is to multiply 3x6=18.