A ledger is used to: Multiple Choice summarize the increases and decreases in individual accounts, as well as the ending balance. report the results of operations to stockholders, creditors, and managers. prove that debits equal credits.

The correct answer is: **Summarize the increases and decreases in individual accounts, as well as the ending balance.** **Explanation:** A **ledger** is a fundamental component of the accounting system. It contains all the individual accounts (such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses) where each account records the increases and decreases over a specific period. The ledger provides the ending balance for each account, which is essential for preparing financial statements. - **Option 1:** *Summarize the increases and decreases in individual accounts, as well as the ending balance.* **This is correct.** The ledger serves this exact purpose by maintaining detailed records for each account. - **Option 2:** *Report the results of operations to stockholders, creditors, and managers.* **This describes financial statements**, such as the income statement or balance sheet, not the ledger itself. - **Option 3:** *Prove that debits equal credits.* **This is primarily the role of the trial balance** in the accounting cycle, ensuring that total debits equal total credits. **Therefore, the first option accurately describes the primary function of a ledger.** **Answer:** Summarize the increases and decreases in individual accounts, as well as the ending balance.