John's Jewels

Here, presented below for you enjoyment is a compendium of time wasting, e-mail inbox hogging, internet junk that has been forwarded to me via e-mail by various colleagues, friends and family members who obviously have nothing better to do with their time and resources!

Friday, October 28, 2011

 

The New Math

Last week I purchased a burger 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.

In order to understand this more fully, let's review how math is taught in the
public school system over the past decades.


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?

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?

Teaching Math In 1970


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

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.

Teaching Math In 1990

************************ By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the
logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic
for class participation after answering the question: How did the forest birds
and squirrels feel as the logger cut down the trees. (There are no wrong
answers.)

Teaching Math In 2005

************************El hachero vende un camion carga por $100.
La cuesta de production es.............

And we wonder why jobs requiring intelligence are being outsourced

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