Fifty Years of Math 1958 - 2008

[exponent]

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $2.58. The counter girl took my $3 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 2008
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

 

[Theo]

Funny and sad at the same time. Not to mention geography...

 

[tekz999]

hahhahahah (laughing at the evolution of math, and not at the girl.)
I think she cried because of the attention she had received and the embarrassment?

 

[Stian]

Hahahahahaha :lol: (laughing at the evolution of math AND the BK girl).

 

[Varchar]

Funny and true... It has occur a few times to me when the cashier has no idea how much change to give back when I paid extra to even out the change. I don't like coins hanging out in my pocket... kekeke.

KW

 

[tekz999]

It always happens. For example, the charge on the cab is $14.50, I give the driver $24.5, and tell him to give me back $10, by giving him the answer, he can solve things faster kakakka

 

[draggar]

Funny and sad at the same time. Not to mention geography...

¿Dondé está los Estados Unidos?
¿Donde vivé?
Aludé lose Estados Unidos en el mapa.

¡Mi gato come mis pantalones! My gato es muy gordo.

This is sad and true although I don't remember underlining the 20 back in school, so I guess we had old textbooks.

 

[jasdon11]

Hahahahahaha :lol: (laughing at the evolution of math AND the BK girl).

:lol:

 

[randomo]

I don't know if all of my former math students can make change, but I did make sure that they could figure out a 15% or 20% (or 18%) tip in a restaurant.

 

[BobDiGiTaL]

Getting the change correct without a display that says "change: $1.23" is a miracle.
and why dont "cashiers" know how to hand back money.

PREFACE: the customer will put his/her hand out palm side up.
LESSON 1: first put the coins in the customers palm, so the customer can still use his/her fingers.
LESSON 2: next, place the bills between the customer's thumb and index finger, so the customer can pinch the bills and the coins do not go flying when putting the bills in your wallet.
LESSON 3: flip more burgers

if someone hands me flat bills with my change balanced in the well made by the "burger flipper", I will scream.
sometimes I just drop the change on the floor and leave.

 

[exponent]

PREFACE: the customer will put his/her hand out palm side up.
LESSON 1: first put the coins in the customers palm, so the customer can still use his/her fingers.
LESSON 2: next, place the bills between the customer's thumb and index finger, so the customer can pinch the bills and the coins do not go flying when putting the bills in your wallet.
LESSON 3: flip more burgers

I hate getting bills before coins. Especially in a drive-thru. I always end up dropping change. I end up getting irritated and saying something like "Well, there went 2 clicks."

 

[thevirtual]

I had the same thing happen recently but in reverse, sometimes you just want to make sure you're not shortchanged. I always try to have the exact change including pennies to make the process smoother.

I don't see what is wrong with Teaching foreign languages in US schools. In almost every other country it is normal to learn several languages early on, in school.

 

[theinvestor]

I had the same thing happen recently but in reverse, sometimes you just want to make sure you're not shortchanged. I always try to have the exact change including pennies to make the process smoother.

I don't see what is wrong with Teaching foreign languages in US schools. In almost every other country it is normal to learn several languages early on, in school.

Smoother...or holding up the line behind you trying to get the correct amount?

 

[exponent]

I don't see what is wrong with Teaching foreign languages in US schools. In almost every other country it is normal to learn several languages early on, in school.

I don't have a problem with it, I have a Hispanic niece and nephew and two adopted Peruvian cousins. My brother-in-law is a naturalized citizen and my great grandparents were German immigrants.

I just get a kick of the fact that illegal immigrants tend to want separate instruction in Spanish. While I agree that multiple languages should be learned in American schools, it really isn't that hard to become an American citizen, provided you're not a criminal.

I don't think speaking basic English is too hard to ask from a predominantly English speaking country. :smilewinkgrin:

/Don't mean to offend anyone.
//Sorry if I have.