A Little Math Anyone?

Tuesday 20 February 2007
Posted by Neugier
5 Comments

Math: 1950 - 2006

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter
girl took my $2 and 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?
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Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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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. Cuanto dinero ha hecho $20.

 

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like racial prejudice. Interesting. Considering the backgrounds listed in your profile.

20 February 2007 at 10:20  
Beth Hotchkiss-Yoder said...

that is really funny :). . . .but sad cuz it is the way our country is going!!!! One of the reasons I want to keep my kids in the school they are in!!!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!! & belated Birthday Ashley!!!

20 February 2007 at 12:25  
Neugier said...

Anonymous, considering the backgrounds listed in my profile as well as the changes which are indeed happening in more and more public schools throughout the country, I am surprised that you are so quickly inclined to see racial prejudice in an article in which race was not mentioned and prejudice does not exist. Since you failed to show concern for the logging industry, deforestation and the homeless animals mentioned in #5, should I follow your example and then brand you as being inhumane, uncaring, insensitive, unfeeling, and a supporter of greedy corporate America? No thanks.... nice try by the way;-)

20 February 2007 at 12:34  
Sam D. said...

If only the concerns for the environment we see in textbooks were taken to the real world.

I was reading the comments and was reminded of a poem I read recently:

I have come to the conclusion
she said
that when we fall in love
we really fall in love with ourselves--
that we choose particular people
because they provide
the particular mirrors
in which we which to see

And when did you discover
this surprising bit of knowledge?
he asked.
After I had broken a few
very fine mirrors
she said.

Often times, the labels we attach to things are projections of our own life.



On a tangent, I will say, I find it incredibly interesting to see the progession of methods in thinking over the years.

Truly evolution at work.

20 February 2007 at 15:20  
Beth Hotchkiss-Yoder said...

whoever was anonymous. . .what's wrong with showing your identity??? Are you an SP???

SP---Read Culture Warrior :)

Anyway...... What's wrong with learning English, All the Irish, German,Russian, etc., etc. people that have come to this country learned it... and became citizens too!!!! Here's the great part... They are PROUD to be here today!!! Many Asian people work VERY hard to learn english and much more before they ever come here. Racial prjudice???? No!!! Anybody,regardless of where they come from or the color of there skin has my respect if they work hard and play by the rules. Everbody (unless physically handicapped) posseses those two abilities!!!

20 February 2007 at 19:46  

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