One consequence of automation in production is that producers need fewer:

• A. materials
• B. machines
• C. workers
• D. customers

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of automation in production. Automation refers to the use of technology and machines to perform tasks that were previously done by human workers.
2. Step 2: Identify the inputs in the production process. These typically include workers (labor), materials, machines (capital), and customers (demand side, not an input).
3. Step 3: Analyze how automation affects each input. Automation usually replaces or reduces the need for human labor by using machines or software to perform tasks more efficiently.
4. Step 4: Recognize that automation does not reduce the need for materials or machines; in fact, it may increase the use of machines and sometimes materials to operate automated systems.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the primary input reduced by automation is the number of workers, as machines take over tasks that humans used to perform.