The function is:

P(t)=462-35t

This is a linear function in the form:

P(t)=mt+b

where:

m= " rate of change "

and

b= " initial value "

In this function:

m=-35

The negative sign means the fish population is decreasing.

The number 35tells us the amount of decrease per month.

So the fish population is decreasing by:

35 " fish per month "

The value 462is not the rate of change. It represents the starting fish population at the beginning of the year, when t=0:

P(0)=462

Therefore, the correct interpretation is:

" The number of fish in the lake is decreasing at a constant rate of 35 fish per month. "

So the correct answer is:

▭ ( " D " )