The function is:

P(t)=24t+185

This is a linear function in the form:

P(t)=mt+b

where:

m= " rate of change "

and

b= " initial value "

In the function:

P(t)=24t+185

the coefficient of tis:

24

So the rate of change is:

24 " fish per month "

Because 24is positive, the fish population is increasing.

The number 185is not the rate of change. It represents the starting fish population at the beginning of the year, when t=0:

P(0)=24(0)+185=185

Therefore, the correct interpretation is:

" The number of fish in the lake is increasing at a constant rate of 24 fish per month. "

So the correct answer is:

▭ ( " B " )