#### 2, 3Question: An ornithologist observes that the number of a certain bird species in a reserve follows a quadratic polynomial $ p(t) $, where $ t $ is the year. Given $ p(2020) = 50 $, $ p(2021) = 65 $, and $ p(2022) = 86 $, find $ p(2023) $.

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:15:22 +0000

### Why Bird Population Trends Matter—And Why Patterns Matter Now In an era of shifting ecosystems and growing environmental awareness, small shifts in wildlife numbers can signal larger ecological changes. Ornithologists increasingly turn to mathematical models to decode these patterns, and quadratic functions often reveal subtle trends masked by raw data. For those tracking biodiversity, understanding how bird populations evolve each year offers insight beyond numbers—revealing climate impacts, habitat health, and conservation success. Now, a careful analysis of a recent reserve data set demonstrates how a quadratic model can predict future population trends with precision—starting with the numbers from 2020 to 2022—and offers a glimpse into what 2023 might hold. ### Have This Quadratic Polynomial Trend Led Us to 2023? The growth of a bird species is rarely linear; quadratic models capture natural accelerations or pauses often missed by simpler trends. In this case, data from three consecutive years provides a clear foundation. From 2020 to 2021, the population rose by 15 individuals, then surged 21 in the next year, indicating increasing momentum. This stretch aligns with a quadratic shape, where growth accelerates. Using such models, experts project that 2023 will see further increases—though never explosive—reflecting both environmental factors and conservation efforts.