Math 1950-2005

startingover

Math 1950-2005
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 1950

! 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 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?

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?

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.

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.)
6. Teaching Math In 2005

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

Elsewhere

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.

Admit it! You were trying to con her out of some pocket lint.

LDH

LOL.

Any parent who leaves the education process to our school system hoping to see their child soar, will be sadly disappointed. I always told my daughter's teachers that I was the primary educator, and that their responsibility was to support me.

Sheesh, I know many parents who just turn their kids over to the school hook, line, and sinker--and then wonder why Johnny doesn't know his alphabet.

Lisa

nicolaou

Perhaps it takes a non-American to point out the biggest faux pas in this story;

"Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King"

Nic'

juni

I've had the same experience Startingover. In the "old" days, the register didn't tell you what the change was. You had to know how to count back the change.

I also enjoyed your Math changes from 1950 - 2005. That's cute, but sad too. Like someone else had said, parents have to be involved in their kids' education and not solely rely on the teachers.

Juni

stillajwexelder

I can still do integral calculus in my head - was doing it on paper at the age of 15 - sad the decline in standards

Mary

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.

This happened to me a few years ago. I was putting something on layaway that cost $200. For some reason, the cash register wouldn't add the taxes and the young salesclerk simply didn't know what to do. So I said "the tax comes to $30.00" (8% PST and 7% GST). She looked at me like I was Albert Einstein and asked me how I knew that. I said "because you simply multiply the total, which is $200 by the 15% tax and it comes out to $30.00.." But how did I know that without using a calculator? Uh, I figured it out in my head.....didn't she ever learn to do that in school?

Nope. You apparently can't show up in the Math class without a calculator. When I was in school, if we got caught with a calculator, we were given an automatic zero.

Unbelievable!

startingover

I really would like to take credit for this, but alas I can't, I received it in an email.

I do however find it amusing to do like this guy did and see if I can confuse the person behind the counter. I am amazed at how they just take the number that comes up on the cash register and give you a handful of change, hardly ever counting it out for you and most likely not figuring it out in their heads like I automatically do.

mkr32208

That was funny... Don't know why it was in a size 80 font but maybe that was part of the humor?

Watching idiot's trying to figure out percentages will really blow your mind! What about an item that started at $100 and was marked down
%50 then an additional %25 percent... Its like watching someone try to perform brain surgery on THEMSELVES with a KFC spork...

Fe2O3Girl

Do you all think this is a reflection of under-50s in general, or of people who are employed in retail as sales clerks?

Math 1950-2005

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