In the balance sheet, what does equity represent?

Equity on the balance sheet represents the residual interest in the assets of a company after deducting liabilities. This means that equity reflects what is left for the owners or shareholders once all the obligations to creditors have been satisfied. The calculation of equity involves subtracting total liabilities from total assets, which confirms the relationship that equity is indeed equivalent to assets minus liabilities.

This concept is key in financial accounting, as it provides insight into the financial health of a company and the shareholders' stake. A positive equity value indicates that the company has more assets than liabilities, which is generally a favorable position, while negative equity suggests the opposite.

The other choices refer to distinct financial metrics or components that do not accurately define equity in the context of a balance sheet. Total sales and total revenues are part of the income statement and relate to a company's performance over a period rather than its financial position at a specific point in time. Current liabilities focus on obligations due within a year, which are considered when assessing a company's liquidity but do not directly define equity.