What refers to the average amount of inventory used to satisfy demand?

The average amount of inventory used to satisfy demand is referred to as cycle inventory. Cycle inventory is the portion of inventory that is depleted as customer orders are fulfilled. This type of inventory is directly related to the regular production and purchasing cycles of a business. Essentially, it is the inventory that would ordinarily be used to meet regular, predictable customer demand.

In contrast, safety inventory is maintained as a buffer against uncertainty in demand or supply and is not part of the regular cycle of inventory usage. Anticipation inventory is built up ahead of expected demand spikes, such as seasonal variations, while in-transit inventory represents goods that are currently being transported from one location to another. Therefore, cycle inventory distinctly focuses on the average stock used in response to normal demand patterns, making it the correct choice for this question.