Subtotaled - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

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accounting term

The term 'subtotaled' refers to the process of calculating a subtotal in financial records or accounting. This involves summing up a group of numbers before applying additional calculations, such as taxes or discounts. The subtotal represents a partial total that is important for understanding the overall budget or expense breakdown. It is commonly used in invoices, spreadsheets, and receipts to give clarity on specific sections of costs.

Synonyms

aggregate, sum, total.

Examples of usage

The expenses were subtotaled before the final calculation.
The invoice subtotaled all items before tax.
He subtotaled the transactions to track his spending.

Interesting Facts

Finance

In accounting, a subtotal helps clarify financial documents by breaking down larger sums into manageable parts.
Many retail receipts display subtotals before taxes and discounts to give customers an idea of their costs before final pricing.
In budgeting, subtotals are used to categorize expenses, helping individuals or businesses track spending in specific areas.

Technology

In spreadsheet software, like Excel, users can easily create subtotals using functions to summarize data without manually adding numbers.
Subtotals are often a basic function in software applications, enabling quick calculations for reports and invoice generation.
Many apps allow users to see subtotals in real-time as they input data for easier financial monitoring.

Education

Students learn about subtotals in math and finance classes, recognizing its importance in everyday budgeting and shopping.
Teaching subtotals promotes critical thinking as it encourages students to break down complex problems into simpler parts.
Subtotals are often one of the first steps learned in data management, providing foundational skills for future education in statistics.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, transparency in pricing is valued, making subtotals important for customers to understand what they are paying for.
Discussion of subtotals reflects a culture's approach to budgeting, illustrating how individuals view financial planning.
In restaurants, the subtotal is often emphasized on menus, guiding customers in their decisions about food and drink selections.

Origin of 'subtotaled'

Main points about word origin

The prefix 'sub-' comes from Latin, meaning 'under' or 'below', indicating the amount is preliminary or part of a whole.
The word 'total' has roots in Latin 'totalis', referring to the whole sum, anchoring the term 'subtotal' in mathematical language.
The combination of 'sub-' and 'total' to create 'subtotal' started appearing in English accounting terms in the early 20th century.

The term 'subtotaled' derives from the word 'subtotal', which is a compound of 'sub-' and 'total'. The prefix 'sub-' comes from Latin, meaning 'under' or 'below', while 'total' originates from the Latin word 'totalis', meaning 'whole' or 'entire'. The concept of subtotaling became prominent with the rise of accounting practices and the need for clearer financial tracking in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. As accounting and commerce evolved, so did the methods of calculating and reporting financial data. 'Subtotal' as a term became commonplace in invoices, tax documents, and accounting systems to facilitate better financial management. The passive form 'subtotaled' indicates the action of having completed this process.

Subtotaled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations