Final answer:
A future cost that is the same for more than one alternative and has no effect on the decision is referred to as a sunk cost.
Step-by-step explanation:
In decision-making, if a future cost is the same for more than one alternative, it has no effect on the decision. Such a cost is referred to as a sunk cost. Sunk costs are costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered.
For example, let's consider a company that is deciding whether to continue production of a product or discontinue it. If the future costs of continuing production are the same as the future costs of discontinuing production, the sunk costs of past investments should not be considered in the decision-making process. Only the future costs and benefits should be evaluated.