1. The problem involves understanding the linear regression model given by the equation $$y = 1772 + 334x$$ where $y$ is the number of bald eagle breeding pairs and $x$ is the number of years after 1986. 2. The formula for a linear equation is $$y = mx + b$$ where $m$ is the slope and $b$ is the y-intercept. 3. Here, the slope $m = 334$ means that for each additional year after 1986, the number of breeding pairs increases by 334. 4. The y-intercept $b = 1772$ represents the number of breeding pairs in the base year 1986 (when $x=0$). 5. To find the number of breeding pairs in a specific year, substitute the value of $x$ (years after 1986) into the equation and solve for $y$. 6. For example, to find the number of pairs in 1990, calculate $x = 1990 - 1986 = 4$. 7. Substitute $x=4$ into the equation: $$y = 1772 + 334 \times 4$$ $$y = 1772 + 1336$$ $$y = 3108$$ 8. Therefore, in 1990, there were 3108 bald eagle breeding pairs according to the model.