Question

The opportunity cost of watching television is:

a) All of the alternative programs that appear on other stations.
b) Zero because there is no money expenditure involved.
c) The alternative use of the time foregone by watching the program.
d) Zero if it benefits you.

Answer 1

The opportunity cost of watching television is the most valuable alternative action that is foregone, like working a part-time job, for example.

Step-by-step explanation:

The opportunity cost of watching television is the alternative use of the time foregone by watching the program.

This concept is fundamental to economics, which tells us that every choice has an opportunity cost; it is the value of the best other use to which you could have put your time or resources.

For example, if instead of watching television, you could be working at a part-time job, studying, or engaging in a hobby, the value you would derive from the next best alternative activity that you choose not to do is your opportunity cost.

The opportunity cost of watching television is c) The alternative use of the time foregone by watching the program.