NECO 2003 Economics · Question 3
The professional that view cost in term of alternatives sacrificed is the
Options
- A.accountant
- B.cashier
- C.economist
- D.manager
- 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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