--%>

What is the opportunity cost of your decision

Suppose you arrive at a store expecting to pay $100 for an item, but learn that a store two miles away is charging $50 for it.  Would you drive there and buy it?  How does your decision benefit you?  What is the opportunity cost of your decision?  Now suppose you arrive at a store expecting to pay $6000 for an item, but learn that it costs $5950 at the other store.  Do you make the same decision as before? Perhaps surprisingly, you should!  Explain why.

E

Expert

Verified

Driving to the other store to save $50 does involve some cost in terms of time and inconvenience.  However, for most of us the time it takes to drive two miles would be worth $50.  For example, if it takes about ten minutes extra time and a negligible amount of gasoline (unless your time is worth $300 an hour, or $50 per each ten-minute period), it would benefit you to drive to the other store.  While in the second case, $50 may seem like less compared to the $6000 total price, for you the $50 is still a $50 savings, exactly the same as in the first case.  Therefore, you should apply the same reasoning.  Is the $50 benefit from driving the extra two miles worth the cost?  The conclusion should be the same in both cases.

   Related Questions in Business Economics

  • Q : What happens in the product markets

    What happens in the product markets?

  • Q : Illustrate the complex cases when both

    Illustrate the complex cases when both supply and demand shift?

  • Q : Example of simultaneous changes in both

    Elucidate an example of simultaneous changes in both supply and demand?

  • Q : Illustrate major economic flows that

    Illustrate major economic flows that link U.S. with nations.  Provide an example to illustrate each flow.  Explain the relationship between the top and bottom flows.

  • Q : Comparative advantage in production I

    I have a problem in economics on Comparative advantage in production. Please help me in the following question. The oranges are grown in Florida and potatoes are grown in Maine mainly since: (i) orange-grower’s in Maine have not lobbied effectiv

  • Q : Formally adopt inflation targeting

    Question: Why might it be difficult for the Fed to formally adopt inflation targeting?  Would inflation targeting be a good policy for the Fed in the present economic environment? Answer:

  • Q : Production possibility frontier

    Question: Scenario: You have been hired as the economics adviser for the newly elected State Premier. On your first day, the Premier introduces you to the new Minister for Health

  • Q : Describe the types of multiplant firms

    Describe the types of multiplant firms?

  • Q : Rise in participation of women in the

    Which two of the six reasons listed in the Last Word do you think are the most important in explaining the rise in participation of women in the workplace? Explain your reasoning.

  • Q : Importance of rationally optimal

    Economic scarcity is pervasive, that makes choices essential. Therefore, rationally optimal decisions hinge upon tradeoffs which essentially reflect: (i) cooperation to minimize human greed. (ii) opportunity costs. (iii) competitive social behavior. (