To determine the value of [tex]\( p \)[/tex], we need to figure out how much the population of Town B has increased by given a 12% population growth from 2018 to 2019.
1. Let's start with the 2018 population, denoted as [tex]\( P_{2018} \)[/tex].
2. The population increased by 12%, so we calculate the increase amount by multiplying [tex]\( P_{2018} \)[/tex] by 12%. This can be written as:
[tex]\[
\text{Increase amount} = P_{2018} \times 0.12
\][/tex]
3. To find the 2019 population, we add this increase amount to the 2018 population:
[tex]\[
P_{2019} = P_{2018} + P_{2018} \times 0.12
\][/tex]
4. Factor out [tex]\( P_{2018} \)[/tex] to simplify the expression:
[tex]\[
P_{2019} = P_{2018} (1 + 0.12)
\][/tex]
5. Simplify the expression inside the parentheses:
[tex]\[
P_{2019} = P_{2018} \times 1.12
\][/tex]
6. Therefore, the value of [tex]\( p \)[/tex] (which represents the 2019 population as a multiple of the 2018 population) is:
[tex]\[
p = 1.12
\][/tex]
Given the answer choices:
(A) 0.12
(B) 1.00
(C) 1.12
(D) 1.88
The correct answer is [tex]\(\boxed{1.12}\)[/tex].
