On 12/31/19, Hite Industries reported retained earnings of $537,500 on its balance sheet, and it reported that it had $135,000 of net income during the year. On its previous balance sheet, at 12/31/18, the company had reported $445,000 of retained earnings. No shares were repurchased during 2019. How much in dividends did the firm pay during 2019

Dividends paid= $227,500

Explanation:

The dividend paid during the year 2019 would be the determined by sum of the opening balance of retained earnings and net income and less the closing balance of retained earnings.

Dividends paid = Retained earnings at the beginning + net income - retained earnings at the end.

Note that the payment of dividends would reduce the amount of retained earnings balance

Dividends paid =  537,500 + 135,000 -  445,000= 227,500

Dividends paid= $227,500