A software developer needs to be able to run various versions of Android on an x86 system. Which virtualization technology will allow the software developer to perform this?

The correct answer is emulation, as it specifically allows software developers to run various versions of Android on an x86 system. Emulation creates a virtual environment that simulates the requisite hardware and software architecture of the Android operating system, enabling the run of different Android versions that might not natively support the x86 architecture.

Emulation is particularly advantageous in this scenario since Android is predominantly designed for ARM architectures. By using emulation, the developer can replicate the ARM environment, making it possible for various Android versions to operate on systems with x86 architecture.

In contrast, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure primarily focuses on delivering desktop environments over a network, but it does not directly support the unique requirements necessary for executing different versions of an operating system like Android. Application virtualization, while useful for isolating applications from the host environment, does not create the comprehensive system environment necessary for running an entire operating system, especially one that requires specific hardware emulation. Virtual Machine Monitor provides virtualization capabilities but typically operates at the hypervisor level, requiring additional configuration and compatibility measures to support various operating systems within its environment. This makes emulation the most fitting choice for running multiple Android versions on an x86 system.