Answer:
18
Step-by-step explanation:
8CO₂ + 18H₂O + energy ⟶ 3C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂
C is balanced .
We have 54 O on the left-hand side, but only 20 O on the right-hand side.
We need 34 more O atoms on the right, for a total of 36. Put an 18 in front of O₂.
18CO₂ + 18H₂O + energy ⟶ 3C₆H₁₂O₆ + 18O₂
Check:
![\begin{array}{ccc}\textbf{Atom} & \textbf{On the left} & \textbf{On the right}\\\text{C} &18 &18\\\text{H} & 36 & 36\\\text{O} & 54 &54\\\end{array}](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/biology/high-school/w2rif8vnd3t6jqrkfv6jqlkfpz6b3nj7to.png)
It checks.