Which of the following factors has the largest impact on opportunity cost?

• A. The price of the chosen good or service
• B. The number of choices available
• C. The total amount of resources available
• D. The value of the next best alternative forgone

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of opportunity cost: it is the value of the next best alternative that must be forgone when making a choice.
2. Recognize that opportunity cost is not directly about prices, number of choices, or total resources, but about what you give up when you select one option over another.
3. Identify that the key factor influencing opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative, because opportunity cost measures the benefit lost from not choosing that alternative.
4. Compare the given options and note that 'the value of the next best alternative forgone' directly defines opportunity cost, while the other options are related but do not determine it as precisely.
5. Conclude that the largest impact on opportunity cost comes from the value of the next best alternative forgone, as it quantifies what is sacrificed in making a decision.