Question

emma is trying to decide whether to buy a new laptop. as a student, she has a budget and wants to make sure this is the right financial decision. which question should she ask herself in determining the opportunity cost of this purchase?
can i use credit to buy this laptop?
what will i have to sacrifice if i buy this laptop?
is there a less costly alternative to buying this laptop?
do i need this laptop for my studies?

Explanation:

Opportunity cost refers to the value of the next - best alternative that is forgone when a decision is made. When Emma buys a laptop, she needs to consider what she is giving up (sacrificing) by spending her money on the laptop instead of other things.

• The question "Can I use credit to buy this laptop?" is about the payment method, not opportunity cost.
• The question "Is there a less costly alternative to buying this laptop?" is about cost comparison but not directly about what is sacrificed (opportunity cost).
• The question "Do I need this laptop for my studies?" is about the necessity of the laptop for studies, not about the alternative that is given up.

Answer:

What will I have to sacrifice if I buy this laptop?