What is the rational decision-making process where you compare gains and losses?

• A. Opportunity cost
• B. Cost-benefit analysis
• C. Budgeting
• D. Risk assessment

Answer: (B)

Cost-benefit analysis is the process of weighing the expected gains against the expected costs of a choice to decide whether taking the action is worthwhile. In rational decision making, you try to quantify what you gain and what you give up, often using money as the common unit, so you can compare whether the total benefits exceed the total costs. If the benefits outweigh the costs, proceeding makes sense; if not, it’s better to pass or seek a different option. This approach helps you evaluate everyday decisions and larger investments with a structured sense of value. Related ideas like opportunity cost matter too, since they remind you to consider what you’re sacrificing by choosing one option over another, but the overall framework described is the cost-benefit analysis. Budgeting focuses on resource allocation over time, while risk assessment examines uncertainty and potential negative outcomes, rather than the direct gains-versus-costs comparison.