A fundamental question in economics as well as in adaptive evolutionary biology is when to use difference and when to use division in cost–benefit analysis. At times, decisions taken to maximise the cost–benefit ratio can be diametrically opposite to that to maximise the cost–benefit difference. Common people intuitively know when to maximise the ratio and when to maximise the difference. The contrasting history of hybrid versus “desi” breeds in agriculture as opposed to animal husbandry illustrates this point effectively.
