I am attempting to figure out what the journal entry would be for the valuation allowance for trading and available for sale securities.

I am attempting to figure out what the journal entry would be for the valuation allowance for trading and available for sale securities. I am not sure if the payment of dividends throws anything off in my calculation, but to start, I am not sure how to even begin with this. Please see the attachment for the exact problem, I am in need of figuring out the ones which are marked with a red x.