NECO 2003 Economics · Question 3

The professional that view cost in term of alternatives sacrificed is the

Options

  1. A.accountant
  2. B.cashier
  3. C.economist
  4. D.manager
  5. E.tax collector

Answer: C. economist

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which professional views cost in terms of alternatives sacrificed. That phrase describes opportunity cost, which is a core economics concept.

Step 2: Explain the concept

  • Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative given up when a choice is made. Because resources are scarce, choosing one thing means giving up another.
  • Accountants view cost as the actual money spent, such as the purchase price, wages, and rent. These are explicit, recorded costs.
  • Economists look beyond money spent. They ask what else could have been done with the same resources.

Step 3: Work through the options

  • A. Accountant: Focuses on monetary and recorded costs, not on alternatives forgone. ✗
  • B. Cashier: Handles cash receipts and payments. ✗
  • C. Economist: Defines cost as opportunity cost, which is the alternative sacrificed. ✓
  • D. Manager: Makes decisions and runs the organisation, but "cost as alternatives sacrificed" is not their defining view. ✗
  • E. Tax collector: Collects government revenue. ✗

Example: Suppose Ade spends ₦50,000 on a business course instead of starting a small shop that would have earned him ₦80,000. The accountant records the ₦50,000 fee. The economist also counts the ₦80,000 of income he gave up as part of the cost.

Answer: The economist, which is option C.

Exam tip: When you see "alternative forgone," "next best alternative," or "sacrificed," think opportunity cost, and link it to the economist. Remember it as: Accountant = money spent, Economist = what you give up.

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