Final answer:
The presence of many buyers and sellers in a competitive market allows for healthy competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of many buyers and sellers is an important characteristic of competitive markets because it allows for healthy competition. In a competitive market, there are numerous buyers and sellers who are all acting independently and competing with each other. This ensures that no single buyer or seller has enough market power to influence prices or control the market. Instead, prices are determined by the forces of supply and demand, creating a level playing field for all participants.