Which of the following best describes a marginal benefit?

The concept of marginal benefit refers specifically to the additional satisfaction or utility that a consumer experiences from consuming one more unit of a good or service. This is a fundamental idea in economics that helps to understand consumer behavior and decision-making.

When individuals assess whether to purchase an extra unit of a product, they weigh the marginal benefit against the marginal cost. If the additional satisfaction gained from that unit exceeds the cost, then the purchase is perceived as worthwhile. Consequently, the correct choice highlights that marginal benefit is specifically about the incremental advantage gained from increasing consumption by one unit, rather than the total benefits or overall satisfaction derived from multiple units or a service.

This distinction is key in economic theory, as it emphasizes the importance of considering changes in consumption rather than simply evaluating total benefits. Understanding marginal benefit allows individuals and businesses to make more informed decisions regarding resource allocation and consumption levels.