What is the most important reason for creating Operational Definitions of each measure?

Amachine purchased three years ago for $720,000 has a current book value using straight-line depreciation of $400,000: its operating expenses are $60,000 per year. a replacement machine would cost $480,000, have a useful life of nine years, and would require $26,000 per year in operating expenses. it has an expected salvage value of $130,000 after nine years. the current disposal value of the old machine is $170,000: if it is kept 9 more years, its residual value would be $20,000. calculate the total costs in keeping the old machine and purchase a new machine. should the old machine be replaced?

Which term refers to the cost that motivates an economic decision

The school cafeteria can make pizza for approximately $0.30 a slice. the cost of kitchen use and cafeteria staff runs about $200 per day. the pizza den nearby will deliver whole pizzas for $9.00 each. the cafeteria staff cuts the pizza into eight slices and serves them in the usual cafeteria line. with no cooking duties, the staff can be reduced by half, for a fixed cost of $75 per day. should the school cafeteria make or buy its pizzas?