Al + Fe2 O3 ----> +Al2 O3 + Fe ______________________
Apparently I have to balance the equation, and to balance it I did this:
Al2 + Fe2 O3 ----> +Al2 O3 + Fe2
Basically you need the same number of atoms on one side of the equation as you have on the other. (Matter can never be destroyed, just converted and all that jazz >.>)
For instance lets take your equation, by simple counting you can see that you have the following atoms on each side.
Left:
1x Al (Aluminium)
2x Fe (Iron)
3x O (Oxygen)
Right:
2x Al (Aluminium)
3x O (Oxygen)
1x Fe (Iron)
So to balance it we need to make it so we have the same amount coming in as going out, to do this we just need to get one extra aluminium atom which we do as follows;
Al
2 + Fe2 O3 -> +Al2 O3 + Fe
And we need 1 extra iron atom on the right which we do as follows;
Al2 + Fe2 O3 -> +Al2 O3 + Fe
2Tada! The magic of equation solving >.>.
Anyway I'll explain synthsis and such in a sec, just need to get my pizza out of the oven. - Edit: Maybe not, 4Sword just posted.