Final answer:
The longer the inter-arrival time, the fewer servers are required to ensure that demand is less than capacity, according to queueing theory in operations management. Option A is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question centers on the concept of queueing theory within operations management, specifically the relationship between the inter-arrival time of customers or tasks and the number of servers needed in a system. When the inter-arrival time is longer, meaning there is more time between the arrivals of customers or tasks, the demand on the system is less frequent.
Therefore, fewer servers are required to handle this demand without it exceeding the system's capacity. This is because the system has more time to process each arrival before the next one occurs, leading to a lesser need for additional servers to maintain the demand. Conversely, if the inter-arrival time is short, indicating a higher frequency of demands or customers arriving, more servers are needed to keep up and ensure that demand does not surpass capacity.