Final answer:
The true statement about the function p = 9,000 + 8t is A, the population of the town is increasing at a constant rate. Statements B, C, and D are false based on the analysis of the function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the function p = 9,000 + 8t, which models the population growth of a town over time. We can analyze each statement to determine which is true.
A. The function shows a constant rate of increase for the population since the number of people added each year is constant, which is indicated by the +8t term.
B. To find when the population reaches 10,000, we can set up an equation: p = 10,000 = 9,000 + 8t. Solving for t yields t = 125, which is not between 11 and 12 years, so this statement is false.
C. To determine the population increase two years from now, we substitute t=2 into the function. p = 9,000 + 8(2) = 9,016, so the population will increase by 16 people, not 256, making this statement false.
D. Since there is no term in the function to reflect a decrease, the population is modeled to only increase, without any decrease over time. Thereby, this statement is also false.