Pre-Algebra
Personal financial literacy
Balancing a check register
20 practice questions
0 video lessons
Theory + worked examples
Balancing a Check Register
Texas Pre-Algebra (TEKS) • Standard 6.14(C) • Financial Literacy
Balancing a Check Register is a topic in Financial Literacy in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. It is aligned to Standard 6.14(C), which requires students to balance a check register by tracking deposits and withdrawals.
A check register records deposits and withdrawals and keeps a running balance.
Theory
A check register records every deposit and withdrawal and tracks a running balance.
Subtract money spent (debits), add money received (credits).
A check register.
Balancing it.
Running balance:
\[\text{new balance}=\text{old balance}-\text{debit}+\text{credit}\]
Update the balance after every transaction.
How to balance a register
- Start with the current balance.
- Subtract each withdrawal.
- Add each deposit.
- Record the new running balance.
Example 1 — Withdrawal
Balance \(\$500\); spend \(\$80\). New balance?
Solution
Subtract.
| \(500-80\) | \(=\) | \(\$420\) |
Example 2 — Deposit
Balance \(\$420\); deposit \(\$300\). New balance?
Solution
Add.
| \(420+300\) | \(=\) | \(\$720\) |
Example 3 — Another withdrawal
Balance \(\$720\); spend \(\$40\). New balance?
Solution
Subtract.
| \(720-40\) | \(=\) | \(\$680\) |
Example 4 — Why balance
Why keep a running balance?
Solution
To avoid overdrawing and track spending.
Common pitfalls
Subtract debits, add credits — don't mix them.
Update after every transaction.
A negative balance means an overdraft.
Frequently asked questions
What is a check register?
A record of deposits, withdrawals, and the balance.
How do I update the balance?
Subtract debits, add credits.
Why keep one?
To track money and avoid overdrafts.
Balance $500 minus $80?
\(\$420\).
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