Which equation represents the fundamental accounting principle?

The equation that represents the fundamental accounting principle is assets equal liabilities plus owner's equity. This fundamental equation, often referred to as the accounting equation, serves as the cornerstone of double-entry bookkeeping and financial accounting. It illustrates that a company’s resources (assets) are financed either through borrowing money (liabilities) or through the owner's interest in the business (owner's equity).

This equation highlights the relationship between what a business owns and what it owes, ensuring that the balance sheet remains balanced. For example, if a company has $100,000 in assets and $60,000 in liabilities, this means that the owner's equity would be $40,000. This relationship is essential for accurate financial reporting and analysis, reflecting the true financial position of a business at a given moment in time.

In contrast, the other options either rearrange the fundamental accounting equation or misrepresent the relationship among assets, liabilities, and owner's equity, making them less fundamental compared to the original equation.