Answer:
The oxidation number of the metal decreases
2 Al + Fe₂O₃ → Al₂O₃ + 2 FeO
The metal element iron, is reduced from Fe⁺³ in Fe₂O₃ to Fe⁺² in FeO
Step-by-step explanation:
When an element gains electron, the element becomes reduced, hence when a metal is reduced, the metal gains electrons, which reduces the oxidation number of the metal
An example of a metal being reduced is;
2 Al + Fe₂O₃ → Al₂O₃ + 2 FeO
In the above reaction, the iron (III) oxide is reduced to iron (II) oxide by aluminium metal.