Question

A checkbook balance sheet shows an initial balance for the month of $300.

During the month, checks were written in the amounts of $25, $82, $213,

and $97. Deposits were made into the account in the amounts of $84 and

$116. What was the balance at the end of the month?

Answer 1

We can consider that balances and deposits are positive signed numbers,

while checks are deductions, represented by negative signed numbers.

An expression to represent the activities during the month

would be as follows: 300 + −25 + −82 + −213 + −97 + +84 + +116

Because addition is commutative, you can associate

like signed numbers. (300 + +84 + +116) + (−25 + −82 + −213 + −97)

Evaluate the numbers

within each parentheses. [300 + +84 + +116 = +500]

[(−25 + −82 + −213 + −97 = −417]

Substitute the values into the revised expression. (+500) + (−417) = +83

The balance at the end of the month would be $83.

The balance at the end of the month would be $83.