50 Years of Math
09-12-2007, 07:42 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 09-01-2006
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Posts: 2,178
50 Years of Math
Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2007
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 maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80.
Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
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 maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80.
Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
09-12-2007, 07:51 PM
#2
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Join Date: 08-07-2007
Location: Rochetser NY
Posts: 938
This is all to true. Try giving a young cashier $21.00 for a purchase that comes to $10.67. They usually always say: "you gave me to much" and I have to point out they only have to give me one bill & change. Or they give you a blank look, until the cash register tells them the change to give is a ten + change.
09-12-2007, 09:06 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-17-2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 1,851
I can relate to this somewhat on my own level.
I've been a professional computer programmer for 19 years (not including the time on my own or in high school) and over time I have become more and more reliant on machines to do math for me.
We occasionally play a game called Mexican Train (a domino game). At the end of each round, you add up the tally of the dominoes you have left over and that is added to your score. There are times when I have difficulty adding them up, yet my 64 year old mother in law can basically look at them and add it up.
Rather embarrassing eh?
I've been playing Sudoku and Kakuro lately as a way to help get the old grey matter more functional again.
Of course I play on a Nintendo DS, so it kind of defeats the purpose
I've been a professional computer programmer for 19 years (not including the time on my own or in high school) and over time I have become more and more reliant on machines to do math for me.
We occasionally play a game called Mexican Train (a domino game). At the end of each round, you add up the tally of the dominoes you have left over and that is added to your score. There are times when I have difficulty adding them up, yet my 64 year old mother in law can basically look at them and add it up.
Rather embarrassing eh?
I've been playing Sudoku and Kakuro lately as a way to help get the old grey matter more functional again.
Of course I play on a Nintendo DS, so it kind of defeats the purpose
09-12-2007, 09:41 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-11-2007
Location: Palm Bay, Florida
Posts: 1,378
Unfortunatly, I learned math in the 50s. I worked with numbers in my career, but since being retired, I need a calculator when I want an exact number. I can still estimate pretty good.
The change story is all so true in many instances. The kids with the McJobs wouldn't last a day behind the counter with out the picture cash register and having the machine spit out the change due.
The change story is all so true in many instances. The kids with the McJobs wouldn't last a day behind the counter with out the picture cash register and having the machine spit out the change due.
09-12-2007, 09:59 PM
#7
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Join Date: 09-21-2006
Location: Fairbury, NE
Posts: 862
I have seen cashiers at Wal Mart that can't do the math either, buy something that is advertised; 5 for $10.00. You buy 2, they can't figure the price of each. I admit I stink at math, always had a problem with it, but I can figure that, and can do simple math.
09-13-2007, 04:20 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 05-26-2006
Location: kankakee, IL
Posts: 266
It`s not just math. At my job computers do what intelligent Mgmt used to do. Now when the computers take a crap the place goes to hell because the new Mgmt team has no experience or common sense. Those of us who have been around long enough know what to do have the answers but they wont listen because they are smrt,I mean smart.
