<p>This is because it does not make sense to compare chosen options to all other alternatives that are mutually exclusive. For example, if you have 5 choices A, B, C, D, E, you can choose one, and C is the most preferred option it does not make any sense to compare picking C to jointly picking A, B, D and E. Only one of the other options can be pick so you should use best of them for comparison</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-09T17:14:09.963Z
2020-08-09T17:14:09.963Z
1muflon1
<p>What is the rationale behind it?</p>

<microeconomics><definition>
Why is the definition of opportunity cost "the benefit of the best alternative choice" but not "the benefits of all alternative choices combined"?
Henry Gao
# Why is the definition of opportunity cost "the benefit of the best alternative choice" but not "the benefits of all alternative choices combined"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-08-09)

What is the rationale behind it?

**Tags:** microeconomics, definition


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-08-09. Score: 3

This is because it does not make sense to compare chosen options to all other alternatives that are mutually exclusive. For example, if you have 5 choices A, B, C, D, E, you can choose one, and C is the most preferred option it does not make any sense to compare picking C to jointly picking A, B, D and E. Only one of the other options can be pick so you should use best of them for comparison


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