The correct answer is A. predetermined cost.
Standard costs are predetermined costs that are used to control costs and evaluate performance. They are set in advance of the production period and are based on expected conditions, such as the quantity of materials that will be used, the amount of labor that will be required, and the level of efficiency that will be achieved.
Budgeted costs are estimates of future costs that are used to plan and control operations. They are based on the best available information at the time they are prepared and are subject to change as conditions change.
Actual costs are the costs that are actually incurred during a production period. They are used to evaluate performance and to identify areas where costs can be reduced.
None of these is the correct answer because it does not accurately describe standard costs.