Machinery boosts labor productivity despite fewer workers

Steps:

• Assume initial 100 workers produce 100 units of harvest.
• After change: 50 workers produce 125 units.
• Labour productivity = output per worker; initially 1 unit/worker, now 2.5 units/worker.
• Production (total harvest) rises from 100 to 125 units.

Why D is correct:

• Labour productivity is output divided by labour input; output increases 25% while labour halves, so productivity rises 150% (formula: new = 1.25 × initial / 0.5 = 2.5 × initial).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Production increased, not decreased.
• B: Production increased, not decreased.
• C: Labour productivity increased, not decreased.

Final answer: D