Suppose Troy decides to see the otters. Which result would be a cost?
Troy will save some time. The otters are close by, but he would have had to walk to the the other side of the zoo to see the lemurs. Troy will give up the chance to see the lemurs. He would have enjoyed seeing them more than the otters.
Troy is deciding whether to see the lemurs or the otters at the zoo. He wants to see lots of animals, but the zoo is closing soon.
Before you decide to do something, it is often helpful to list costs and benefits.
Costs are what you give up or spend when you decide to do something. Costs involve giving up things that you want or need.
Benefits are what you gain or save when you decide to do something. Benefits involve gaining something that you want or need.
This result is a cost. It involves giving up or spending something that Troy wants or needs:
Troy will give up the chance to see the lemurs. He would have enjoyed seeing them more than the otters.