Subtotalled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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subtotalled
[ˈsʌbˌtoʊtəl ]
Definition
financial calculation
To subtotal means to calculate the sum of a group of numbers before calculating the final total. It often occurs in accounting and financial reporting, where subtotals are used to group related items together for easier analysis.
Synonyms
aggregate, calculate, summarize.
Examples of usage
- I subtotalled the expenses before generating the final report.
- The accountant subtotalled the different categories of expenses.
- After subtotaling, we found our largest costs were in marketing.
- Don't forget to subtotal the sales figures for the quarterly report.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Finance
- In accounting, subtotals help organize financial statements by summarizing and categorizing revenues and expenses.
- Retailers often show subtotals on receipts to help customers see how much they've spent before taxes and discounts.
Mathematics
- Using subtotals can simplify complex calculations by breaking them into smaller, manageable parts, making it easier to see patterns.
- In algebra, calculating subtotals is useful for solving problems step-by-step rather than all at once.
Education
- Teachers often use subtotals in grading, where class scores are combined before giving an overall grade.
- Learning to calculate subtotals helps students understand addition and organization of data, which is a foundational math skill.
Technology
- Software applications like spreadsheets allow users to create subtotals effortlessly using formulas, streamlining data analysis.
- In database management, generating subtotals can help in reporting and data visualization to highlight trends.
Origin of 'subtotalled'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'subtotal' combines 'sub-' meaning 'under' or 'below' and 'total', referring to an intermediate sum.
- It first appeared in mathematical contexts in the late 1920s as the practice of organizing calculations became more common.
The term 'subtotal' is formed from the prefix 'sub-' meaning 'under' or 'below' and the root 'total' which comes from the Latin word 'totale' meaning 'the whole amount'. The concept of subtotaling has its roots in accounting practices that have existed for centuries, as merchants and traders needed ways to summarize transactions for clarity. The practice became formalized with the rise of double-entry bookkeeping in the Renaissance period, enabling clearer financial statements. The modern usage has evolved, particularly with technology and computer software that allow for quick calculations and reporting, making the term a staple in financial documents.