Which analysis helps businesses understand the additional benefit gained from an extra unit sold?

Marginal analysis is the correct answer because it focuses on assessing the additional benefits and costs associated with producing or selling one more unit of a product. In a business context, this type of analysis enables companies to evaluate the impact of increasing output or sales on overall profitability. It helps in making informed decisions about pricing, production levels, and resource allocation, by highlighting how much additional revenue is generated from each additional unit sold compared to the costs incurred. This insight is crucial for optimizing operational efficiency and maximizing profit margins.

The other types of analyses serve different purposes. Market share analysis evaluates a company's sales relative to the entire market, providing insights into competitive positioning but not specifically about the benefits of selling one more unit. Consumer sentiment analysis assesses consumer attitudes and opinions, helping companies understand market perceptions, while competitive analysis focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of competitors. None of these directly relate to the incremental analysis of costs and benefits that marginal analysis addresses.