Polar bears–A threatened Species

Screen Shot 2015-12-11 at 9.54.50 AMGrade level: 5th

Skills:  Measurement (Speed)

Related environmental issues:  Biodiversity & Deforestation

Area level: Global

Because of climate change, polar bears are losing their sea ice habitat in the Arctic. Polar bears are now in the list of threatened species under U.S. law as an animal to be protected. Polar bears are talented swimmers. Adult polar bears can swim for several days without stopping.

  1. It was recorded that a female polar bear swam 423 miles for nine days straight.  How many miles did the polar bear swim in a day on average?
  2. Polar bears can keep swimming at a pace of 6 miles per hour. If the female polar bear swam 423 miles at the pace of 6 miles per hour, how many hours and minutes did she take?

Source:  WWF & National Geographic

Note: The number 423 was changed from 426 to make this problem appropriate to the grade level.

Photo: WWF

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Answer keys

  1. 47 miles (423 / 9=47)
  2. 70 hours and 30 minutes (423 / 6 = 70.5)