【英语翻译Becausepeoplefacetradeoffs,makingdecisionsrequirescomparingthecostsandbenefitsofalternativecoursesofaction.Inmanycases,however,thecostofsomeactionisnotasobviousasitmightfirstappear.Consider,forexample,thedeci】

　　英语翻译

　　Becausepeoplefacetradeoffs,makingdecisionsrequirescomparingthecostsand

　　benefitsofalternativecoursesofaction.Inmanycases,however,thecostofsome

　　actionisnotasobviousasitmightfirstappear.

　　Consider,forexample,thedecisionwhethertogotocollege.Thebenefitisintellectual

　　enrichmentandalifetimeofbetterjobopportunities.Butwhatisthecost?Toanswerthisquestion,youmightbetemptedtoaddupthemoneyyouspendontuition,books,room,andboard.Yetthistotaldoesnottrulyrepresentwhatyougiveuptospendayearincollege.

　　Thefirstproblemwiththisansweristhatitincludessomethingsthatarenotreallycostsofgoingtocollege.Evenifyouquitschool,youwouldneedaplacetosleepandfoodtoeat.Roomandboardarecostsofgoingtocollegeonlytotheextentthattheyaremoreexpensiveatcollegethanelsewhere.Indeed,thecostofroomandboardatyourschoolmightbelessthantherentandfoodexpensesthat

　　youwouldpaylivingonyourown.Inthiscase,thesavingsonroomandboardareabenefitofgoingtocollege.

　　Thesecondproblemwiththiscalculationofcostsisthatitignoresthelargestcostofgoingtocollege—yourtime.Whenyouspendayearlisteningtolectures,readingtextbooks,andwritingpapers,youcannotspendthattimeworkingatajob.Formoststudents,thewagesgivenuptoattendschoolarethelargestsinglecostoftheireducation.

　　Theopportunitycostofanitemiswhatyougiveuptogetthatitem.Whenmakinganydecision,suchaswhethertoattendcollege,decisionmakersshouldbeawareoftheopportunitycoststhataccompanyeachpossibleaction.Infact,theyusuallyare.College-ageathleteswhocanearnmillionsiftheydropoutofschoolandplayprofessionalsportsarewellawarethattheiropportunitycostofcollegeisveryhigh.Itisnotsurprisingthattheyoftendecidethatthebenefitisnotworththecost.