Emma is trying to decide whether to buy a new laptop. As a student, she has a budget and wants to make sure this is the right financial decision. Which question should she ask herself in determining the opportunity cost of this purchase?

Opportunity cost is the value of the next-best option given up when making a choice. Emma should ask what she will have to sacrifice by spending her budget on the laptop. Asking whether there is a cheaper alternative may help her compare prices, but it does not directly identify what she gives up.

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