50 years of math.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » November 20, 2007, 5:14 pm

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 2007
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » November 20, 2007, 5:21 pm

FBp

tomsrod · Post by **tomsrod** » November 20, 2007, 6:01 pm

Sad, but true. I shudder at what teaching math in 2020 will bring.

GLindley · Post by **GLindley** » November 20, 2007, 6:07 pm

A question just as important is if she was able to correctly fill your order, or did you get something else that you didn't order?

Jarrod · Post by **Jarrod** » November 20, 2007, 10:03 pm

did her cash register have numbers or just pictures of the items being ordered?

36truck · Post by **36truck** » November 20, 2007, 11:13 pm

I hear you on that. I have done the same thing with the same results.

They just don't get it.

Macon ACE · Post by **Macon ACE** » November 20, 2007, 11:36 pm

Well yeah, but it ain't just the kiddies. I had an elderly woman react similarly at the Kroger recently. She didn't tear up, but she gave me back the change and said she couldn't make change that way. I agree it's sad, but this poor woman was probably old enough to be my mother...

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » November 21, 2007, 12:45 am

Friday night at the pub and the shoe is on the other foot

Alan,

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » November 21, 2007, 8:16 am

BigTim · Post by **BigTim** » November 21, 2007, 9:08 am

Alan Mclennan wrote:Friday night at the pub and the shoe is on the other foot

Alan,

Better hope the bartender can count and is honest too.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 21, 2007, 1:44 pm

that whole scenario is very common.
i do not profess myself to be a genius but come on we are talking about simple addition/subtraction .should have that down by 2nd grade.

ever buy one of something @ 3 for $10 or 2 for $5 and see the cashier freak out?
the really stupid part is you do not even need to know how to add. the freaking cash register can do it. however the operator must comprehend the transaction and be able to press the correct keys.

Xcessive · Post by **Xcessive** » November 21, 2007, 9:56 pm

I agree, but in all fairness. I was one of the ones that learned math in the 90's (23 yrs old) and I can count change back. hell, even got pretty good at giving price including tax before I was even done ringing something up (was a training manager for a C-store chain here). Some of us still know how to do math. BUT if you think counting change back is bad, ask some one to do a long division problem.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » November 21, 2007, 9:58 pm

Here's one...

I walked into Wendys with the family and order some food.
The manager rings it all up steps back and reads off the total; $6.66

He says "Hey 666 number of the beast!"- "whadya know?"

It was pretty weird.

OK that had nothing to do with math.

GLindley · Post by **GLindley** » November 21, 2007, 10:26 pm

Phil, you bought food for your FAMILY at Wendy's and it only cost $6.66??
I want to know where this Wendy's is. That must be some kind of NEW math they use at THAT Wendy's....

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » November 30, 2007, 11:51 pm

GLindley wrote:Phil, you bought food for your FAMILY at Wendy's and it only cost $6.66??
I want to know where this Wendy's is. That must be some kind of NEW math they use at THAT Wendy's....

hahah seriously!

trouble is, as bad as our education system has gotten, it's not all the school's fault. Mostly it's the kid's (or old stupid lady) fault for not giving a shit. I was a fine Product of Public Schools in Tucson. LOTS of kids went thru the EXACT same eduacation that i did and don't know JACK.

When 40 percent of EVERY CLASS has an F, there is a problem. NO, I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TEACHER/SCHOOL!!!! It is the kid's problem for not caring, and ultimately the parent's fault for not kicking the kid's ass for consistently bringing home F's.

See, most of these kids AREN'T the type that "just doesn't understand". They think it is funny/ doesn't matter. They Enjoy Pissing off the teachers every day, and coming out of the class with a 15% grade and a 0.2 GPA.

I think we should have public beatings of all the kids that do this, then have another round with their parents. But the weenies of this country wouldn't have it. They would say they do bad in school because of POVERTY.... BULL. Intentionally doing bad in school CAUSES Poverty. There have been LOTS of people in this country that didn't have JACK that applied themselves and made something of themselves.... And with all the scholarships available for broke kids.....

Hell, I'm a middle class white boy, not handicapped, not left handed, not special in any way that "they" give a crap about, and I can't get no fancy scholarships to give me a full ride to my Fancy College just for having decent grades....

They don't care that I like old trucks. Nor that I am a "good" kid, or that I get along with my mommy and daddy.... Or am Not insane and/or danger to society. (They seem to like those kids)

Z-MAN · Post by **Z-MAN** » December 1, 2007, 12:47 am

Slick Fan wrote:
6. Teaching Math In 2007
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

hace veinte dollars

.

Fanatic · Post by **Fanatic** » December 1, 2007, 10:57 am

Lest we forget----------
grading on a curve------
what a bunch of BULL that is.
If the best grade is a "C" we will now make that be the "A" and those that HAD "F"s now have "C"s. After all we wouldn't want Little Johnny ( no offense to Canucks) to feel bad about himself. Or the teachers to be accountable for not getting thru to the students.
Don't get me wrong. it all starts at home!!!!
but it is takes many steps down to get into the hole that these kids are in.

I raised 2 well educated and successful girls who I am very PROUD of...but we had to sacrifice. , and many are not willing to do that.

Tim

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » December 1, 2007, 11:16 am

Yep. Well said, you guys.

Jarrod · Post by **Jarrod** » December 2, 2007, 11:31 am

My sister is a teacher in Alpine California. She teaches the "Developmentally Delayed" at the high school there. She used to teach for Orange Unified School district down in SO Cal. At both places her class room was full. about a 3rd of them actally had a legitamate learning disability ie Dislexia, Mild Autism etc. The rest are just lazy P.O.S. that don't care. She has to do individual education programs for every student in her class. The district has been threatened with law suits from parents because she refused to coddle the students and will call the parents on their bull shit and the kids laziness. The parents enable all of this. My Mom and Dad were both teachers as well. I would get my ass handed to me if I brought home an F. Hell I would get my ass handed to me if I brough home good grades but had negative comments on the report card such as "Jarrod is a constant disruption im the class" of my personal favorite "Is Jarrod getting enough sleep at night because he is always falling asleep in my class" The parents need to be held accountable. We also need to pay teachers a decent wage. If we paid teaches a little better, then we would have quality teachers. My sister with a Masters Degree makes less than $50k a year when the average home in her area is $400,000. SHe has been a teacher for 13 years and she is still paying off student loans.

Bill8177 · Post by **Bill8177** » December 2, 2007, 12:17 pm

Por favor, con permiso, el hachero gana bente pesos. E el no pagos empuestos tombien. Estsa es un gran problemo en me terra.

Pardon my grammar, but I`m new to this country! LMAO

PS Squirrel, cooked just right.....tastes like chicken.

50 years of math.

50 years of math.

Re: 50 years of math.