Saving the Bald Eagle

If one is developing a plan for recovery of an endangered species which start with a population of, say, 200 animals, and projects a growth in population each year of "10 animals", then the population, P, will be related to the number of years that pass, t, by this equation:

P = 10t + 200

Subject: Algebra
Topics:
- Coordinate Systems
- Patterns, Relations and Functions
- Linear Equations and Functions
Grades: 6 – 12
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can plot a point in a two-dimensional coordinate system, given the coordinates, or determine the coordinates of a given point
- Can relate aspects of a graphical model to the real world situation which is being modeled
- Understands that linear functions are characterized by the fact that the ratio of change in independent variable to change in dependent variable is constant
- Can determine the equation of a linear function that closely matches a set of points (optional)

Download Teacher Guide: Saving the Bald Eagle (PDF)
Download Student Activity: Saving the Bald Eagle (PDF)

Algebra in the Real World Movie:

Saving the Bald EagleSaving the Bald Eagle

Our national bird is back in the lower 48 states after nearly disappearing in the 60's and 70's. Robert Mesta, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, explains what it takes to recover a species like the bald eagle, and demonstrates how math plays a critical role in the process.
Running time 3:48 minutes.

Watch the Movie