What does cost behavior describe?

Cost behavior specifically refers to the relationship between costs and the level of business activity. This concept helps organizations understand how costs will change as production levels increase or decrease. For example, variable costs are directly proportional to the level of activity, meaning they increase as more units are produced. Conversely, fixed costs remain unchanged in the short term regardless of the level of production. Understanding cost behavior is crucial for budgeting and forecasting, as it allows managers to predict how changes in business operations might impact overall expenses.

Other choices do not fully capture this relationship. While they touch on aspects of cost management or distribution, they do not define cost behavior specifically as the changes in costs relative to activity levels.