Suppose Layla decides to plant the eucalyptus tree. Which result would be a cost?
The eucalyptus tree will use up more space than the hydrangeas would have used up. Layla will get to look at the eucalyptus tree. She thinks it will look more beautiful than the hydrangeas would have looked.
Layla is deciding whether to plant hydrangeas or a eucalyptus tree in her backyard. She wants to make her backyard more beautiful. But she also wants to leave space for doing fun things.
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 Layla wants or needs:
The eucalyptus tree will use up more space than the hydrangeas would have used up.