Why are tradeoffs necessary in economics?

• A. Because opportunity cost does not exist in decision-making.
• B. Because individuals always prefer to consume more of every good.
• C. Because resources are limited and cannot satisfy all wants simultaneously.
• D. Because all goods and services are free and unlimited.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of scarcity: In economics, resources such as time, money, labor, and raw materials are limited, meaning they cannot fulfill all human wants and needs simultaneously.
2. Recognize that because resources are limited, individuals and societies must make choices about how to allocate them efficiently.
3. Define tradeoffs: A tradeoff occurs when choosing more of one good or service means having less of another due to limited resources.
4. Connect tradeoffs to opportunity cost: The opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative foregone when a choice is made, highlighting the necessity of tradeoffs.
5. Conclude that tradeoffs are necessary because they reflect the fundamental economic problem of scarcity, requiring decision-makers to prioritize and make choices.