Final answer:
Nylon is the preferable choice because it is less expensive than polyester when cost is the primary factor in selecting a material for safety belts.
Step-by-step explanation:
If cost is prioritized as a criterion for selecting a material for the safety belt, the answer to which material would be preferable is C: Nylon would be preferable to use because it is less expensive than polyester. While the decision matrix shows that nylon is given a weight of 4 for thickness and strength whereas polyester is given a weight of 5 for thickness and 3 for strength, these factors are secondary if cost is the main concern. Polyester is indeed utilized in a wide variety of applications due to its durability and resistance, however, it is also more costly. Nylon, on the other hand, is known for being a cost-effective and versatile material with a history of use in military supplies and a range of products from toothbrushes to women's stockings, known as "nylons".