原文的口气，是进行一种保守的推算，即使把各个生产环节中由于各种原因导致的成本增加，这一因素也考虑进去，最后得出的产品利润仍是可以接受的。这里的放大估算，不是一种“贬义”的表达，只是一种保守，客观地考虑实际情况中可能出现的成本增加。 因此，用increase 这个中性词，而不用
“inflate/to enlarge or amplify unduly or improperly"
"magnify/To cause to appear greater or seem more important than is in fact the case"
"blow up/ Inflate”
这些带有“贬义“含义的，“吹大“”夸大”“放大”的用词。

原文中的“放大”，是一个中性的用词，用在一种保守客观地推算上，这种推算的目的，是保证在意想不到的额外成本增加底下，产品仍有利润。



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Note added at 13 hrs (2007-12-16 14:18:40 GMT)
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问题中的那句话，可以在以下的连接中看到，这样可以帮助认识那句话所在的context。
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:BMObwt9VUVkJ:news.xinhu...

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Qqm8WEa1SZ0J:www.africa...

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Note added at 14 hrs (2007-12-16 14:35:05 GMT)
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走到坦桑尼亚，张春来忍不住结合当地的水泥价格算了一笔账，结果令他十分兴奋。坦国市场上水泥批发价每吨达160美元，如果从国内运水泥的半成品熟料来加工后销售，即便是各个环节成本都作放大估算，每吨水泥也有40美元的利润，差不多是国内市场的10倍。
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就是说，即使建立在这样保守客观的估算上，中国的水泥半成品熟料经过在坦桑尼亚加工后销售，仍然有可观的利润---- “差不多是国内市场的10倍“。
这种保守客观，带来积极意义的估算，用“贬义”词来修饰这种估算，就不太妥当了。

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Note added at 14 hrs (2007-12-16 15:04:38 GMT)
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or "overestimation"

in other words, this case is based on overestimation of the costs, underestimation of the profits, yet the business is still profitable.

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Note added at 14 hrs (2007-12-16 15:19:59 GMT)
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即便是各个环节成本都作放大估算，每吨水泥也有40美元的利润
Although costs envolved in each link of the production chain is overestimated, there is still a profit magin of $40 each ton of cement.

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Note added at 14 hrs (2007-12-16 15:22:43 GMT)
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envolved---- typing error,,,, should be "involved"

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Note added at 15 hrs (2007-12-16 15:27:39 GMT)
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Although costs envolved in each link of the production chain is based on an overstimation, there is still a profit magin of $40 each ton of cement.


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Note added at 15 hrs (2007-12-16 15:29:18 GMT)
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magin--- typing error,,,, should be" margin"....
overstimation-----typing error,,,,, should be "overestimation".

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Note added at 15 hrs (2007-12-16 15:44:03 GMT)
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Just a reminder: "overestimate" is a netural term in this context.
overestimate:To estimate too highly.