Question

Applying the concept of opportunity cost to the pollution of a lake, an economist probably would conclude that: a. no pollution in the lake should be eliminated regardless of benefit. b. pollution should be eliminated as long as the opportunity cost of a cleanup exceeds the cost of the resources required for the cleanup. c. all pollution in the lake should be eliminated regardless of cost. d. pollution should be eliminated as long as the benefit from a cleanup exceeds the opportunity cost.

Answer 1

Answer:

d. pollution should be eliminated as long as the benefit from a cleanup exceeds the opportunity cost.

Explanation:

Opportunity cost is defined as the forgone cost of doing a particular activity. If you were not undertaking this activity what would you have gained by doing something else?

In this case as long as the benefit from cleaning up the pollution is greater than the opportunity cost (pollution) it should be undertaken.