The statement of operations of a small business primarily provides which of the following information?

The statement of operations, often referred to as the income statement, is designed to summarize the financial performance of a business over a specific period, typically a fiscal year or quarter. This statement provides critical information about how much revenue the business generated and the expenses it incurred during that period, ultimately leading to the calculation of net profit or net loss.

This is essential for understanding the viability and operational efficiency of the business. By analyzing the relationship between total revenue and total expenses, stakeholders can assess how well the business is managing its costs and generating profit from its operations.

The other options focus on aspects that are not the primary purpose of the statement of operations. For instance, while sales revenue is a component of the income statement, the statement encompasses much more than just sales, including various expenses and resulting profit or loss. Total assets and liabilities pertain to the balance sheet, which is a separate financial statement that captures a company's financial position at a specific point in time. Cash flow from operating activities relates to the cash flow statement, which tracks cash movements rather than profitability over time.