Final answer:
Unpredictable changes in the value of money that bring about gains and losses are most directly a consequence of inflation, which causes the purchasing power of money to fluctuate unexpectedly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question centers on the consequences of unpredictable changes in the value of money, specifically focusing on the options provided: productivity, the unemployment rate, inflation, and real GDP. The correct answer to this question is C) inflation.
Inflation refers to the general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. When inflation is unpredictable, it causes gains and losses because the value of money changes in an unexpected manner. While productivity, unemployment rate, and real GDP are important economic indicators, they are not directly responsible for the unpredictable changes in the value of money.
Instead, these factors can influence the rate of inflation or be affected by it. Inflation is the most direct cause of the fluctuation in the value of money.