Select the best answer for the question.
Sue has a balance of $35 in her checking account. She writes one check for $10, and three checks for $9 each. What is her balance now?
A. $18
B. $54
C. -$2
D. -$11
Answer (1)
Calculate the total amount of the three $9 checks: 3 × 9 = 27 .
Calculate the total amount of all checks: 10 + 27 = 37 .
Subtract the total amount of all checks from the initial balance: 35 − 37 = − 2 .
Sue's current balance is − $2 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem Sue starts with a balance of $35. She writes one check for $10 and three checks for $9 each. We need to calculate her current balance.
Calculating the Total of the $9 Checks First, let's calculate the total amount of the three $9 checks: 3 × 9 = 27
Calculating the Total Amount of All Checks Next, we calculate the total amount of all the checks, which includes the $10 check and the three $9 checks: 10 + 27 = 37
Calculating the Current Balance Now, we subtract the total amount of all checks from the initial balance to find Sue's current balance: 35 − 37 = − 2
Final Answer Sue's current balance is -$2. Therefore, the best answer is C.
Examples
Understanding checking account balances is crucial for managing personal finances. For instance, if you start with $100 in your account and spend $30 on groceries and $40 on a dinner with friends, you can calculate your remaining balance by subtracting these expenses from your initial balance: $100 - $30 - $40 = $30. This helps you keep track of your spending and avoid overdrawing your account.
