Final answer:
The Egyptians kept track of the empire's wealth by using hieroglyphs, with scribes recording tax records and other transactions. These records were vital for maintaining the continuity of Egyptian society. Therefore, the correct option is b, use hieroglyphs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Egyptians began to keep track of the empire's wealth by using hieroglyphs, a system of writing consisting of symbols. The scribes, who were trained for years to become literate in hieroglyphics, recorded everything from tax records to mercantile transactions. These records were essential for the continuity of Egyptian politics and culture, acting as a cultural glue that preserved societal structures across generations.
Tax records indicate that the Egyptians used a redistributive economic system, where agricultural goods were collected from local farmers as taxes. These goods were then stored in the palace or temple and redistributed to other members of society who did not produce food. Scribes carefully recorded these transactions in hieroglyphics, and many surviving documents from ancient Egypt are such tax records. Therefore, the answer to how the Egyptians began to keep track of the empire's wealth is (b) use hieroglyphs.