[en] We have developed the self-consistent mean rate approach that makes it possible to analytically solve the coagulation–fragmentation balance equations subject to the mass conservation constraint. The developed approach is not restricted to a specific form of the coagulation and fragmentation rates, thus being applicable to a variety of different coagulation–fragmentation processes. As an example of the practical applicability of the developed method we have calculated the aggregate size distribution and average aggregate diameter for the case of shear induced coagulation–fragmentation