how does knowing the reactants and products help you classify a chemical reaction? write a short paragraph explaining.

Knowing the reactants and products helps classify a chemical reaction because different reaction types follow recognizable input–output patterns. For example, if many simple reactants combine to form one more complex product, the reaction is classified as a synthesis reaction, while one reactant breaking into simpler products is a decomposition reaction. Reactions where elements in different compounds swap partners are called replacement (or displacement) reactions, and reactions with oxygen as a reactant that form carbon dioxide and water are combustion reactions. By comparing what substances go in and what substances come out, chemists can quickly decide which category a reaction belongs to and predict likely products of similar reactions.