Edit 6-19-07 I meant to mention this was copied from a circulating e-mail and is not an actual personal experience. Sorry for the unintentional misrepresentation.
Math 1950-2007
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter-girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help . While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this?
Answer: Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s
1. Teaching Math In 1950
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
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2. T eaching Math In 1960
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
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3. Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
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4. Teaching Math In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
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5. Teaching Math In 1990
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes?
(There are no wrong answers. )
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6. Teaching Math In 2007
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
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3 comments:
Maybe the counter girl was having a really rough day: this might account for the crying. But yeah, if she can't figure out what to do with the change you gave her, then she's in trouble.
On a related note, in the good old days (as recently as the mid-80s) before electronic cash registers, the clerk actually had to COUNT UP the change owing in his/her head! Now the machine does all the work.
Love the math lessons!
I should specified that this was copied from an e-mail and not an actual experience. I did have an interesting, similar experience once which I will recount in a seperate post.
Copied from an email or not, that's a great post.
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