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Sooner24
5/29/2006, 11:17 PM
Math 1950-2006

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 2006:
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la
producciones es $80.

Tailwind
5/29/2006, 11:20 PM
:D!!!

ChickSoonerFan
5/29/2006, 11:24 PM
How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut
down their homes? (There are no wrong answers. )


heh...too funny.

But also scary, and true.

GottaHavePride
5/29/2006, 11:24 PM
Heh. #4 is totally accurate to my experiences in school. The wacky part is I thought calculus was easy...

yermom
5/30/2006, 01:07 AM
i had more serious math before i got to High School than most of the people i know ;)

IMO real math is way too optional in school (and science)

public school is more about pushing everyone through and making people not feel dumb or something than people learning

"Algebra II is too hard? here, take Business Math..."

GottaHavePride
5/30/2006, 01:26 AM
Yeah, I think I took Algebra 2, Trig, Calc 1, and Calc 2 in high school.

yermom
5/30/2006, 01:40 AM
that's about what i did

and i was a year behind schedule

Melo
5/30/2006, 01:44 AM
I took alg I, Geometry and MMA. :O

yermom
5/30/2006, 01:56 AM
see?!

;)

what's MMA?

Melo
5/30/2006, 03:14 AM
Math models and applications. Basically it goes back and spens a semester each on Algebra I and Geometry.

To be completely honest, my math problems started way back in junior high, where I was given a very difficult math teacher. My foundation for math was pretty much ruined, and I never realized how big of an impact it would have later until, well, now.

So going back and relearning all that stuff in hs helped me out a lot. I am glad I took that class.

Jerk
5/30/2006, 05:04 AM
Awesome!