Balance this chem equation

[brtspears2]

___ Cu + HgNO2 -----> ___ Cu(NO3)2 + __ Hg

I cant see how this can be balanced.
Could that be the answer?

 

[GoingUp]

Edit... bad math....can you change the number before the HgNO2?

 

[brtspears2]

Nope, If I could, it would make this equation a gazillion times easier.

 

[GoingUp]

i relooked at it, it's impossible if you can't add a number before HgNO2, either that or its a typo cause it should be NO3, they are picking up an extra oxygen from somewhere.

 

[bmd]

I agree that it either isn't balanceable or that is a typo. Why would they have a blank in front of the mercury on the right when you can't change the amount of HgNO2 on the left? That to me suggests typo.

 

[wQuay]

Go tell your prof that ATOT agrees: the problem is wrong.

 

[NewSc2]

try balancing the chem equation regardless of what number is in front of HgNO2, and then divide everything by the factor that's in front of HgNO2 to get HgNO2 to 1