Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2007 (in the USA )

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? Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s: 

1. Teaching Math In 1950s 

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ? 

2. Teaching Math In 1960s 

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? 

3. Teaching Math In 1970s 

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit? 

4. Teaching Math In 1980s 

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. 

5. Teaching Math In 1990s 

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, and if you feel like crying, it's ok. ) 

6. Teaching Math In 2009 

Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho.

Yep....Sad but true....

You should be ashamed for making that poor illiterate girl cry. I hope you let them keep the change so you could eat your food while it was still hot. LOL.

I agree. I find more and more younger people who can't count change back.

Mike.

Fixed it for ya, Mike.

I agree. I find more and more younger people who can't count.

LOL. Although they had something on the news about cutting spanish classes. Must be some sort of budget cut. I fell asleep though and missed the story and can't find it online.

I agree Bill. They can't spell either without spell check. They only converse in text. The spoken word is becoming extinct. Our great potus can't speak with out it being scrolled in front of him.

Mike

Good one

LOL, funny but... its the sad truth.
Will

Being a woodworking teacher, that story has multiple implications. First off I'll tell you that a lot of kids have no idea about counting change...or anything else for that matter. And just last week I had kids from our ecology class come in and ask if they could take some pictures, so I say "Sure." These two girls say, "I have never been in this building before." So I say "So, what do you need pictures of and what's the assignment?" And they say that they need pictures of people wasting and ruining the forests and the bad objects that are made of wood.....I am floored. It just hit me wrong, I told them to take whatever pictures they needed and get out. Then Later that day I confronted the teacher and told her not to send kids out to my class, as her students have the completely wrong idea about what is ecologically responsible.

What a bunch of cr@p.

So ....... What's the right answer?

Quote:

No te entiendo mi amigo

Three Guys check into a hotel and order room service. The bill came to $25.00, each guy gave the bell hop a $10.00 Bill. He could not figure out the change so he gave each guy one dollar back and the other two dollars was his tip. If each guy paid $9.00 each = $27.00 and $2.00 for the bell hop = $29.00 where did the other dollar go

Quote:


Since each man owed $8.33 for the room service, gave a $10, and received a $1 back, the waiter ended up with $1.98 in tips...which should be subtracted from the $27, to equal the $25 bill...not added to it.

Quote:


Wait a minute. Where have I been? We have a $25 bill now?

Quote:

You have to follow the order of operations of math. You can't
Subtract then multiply.

Jim

Quote:

I kan I gots a publik edukashun.

Matthew