Last week I purchased a burger for $1.58. I handed the
cashier $2.00 and started digging for some change. I
pulled out 8 cents and gave it to her. She stood there
with $2 and 8 cents. She looked bewildered, 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
burst into tears.The incident got me thinking about how our kids were
learning math in school (or not).
Teaching Math In 1950: A logger sells a truckload of
lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5ths 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 4/5ths of the
price, or $80. What is his profit?
Teaching Math In 1970: A logger exchanges a set "L" of
lumber for a set of "M" of money. The cardinality of set
"M" is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100
dots representing the elements of the set "M." The set
"C," the cost of product ion, contains 20 fewer points
than set "M." Represent the set "C" as a subset of set
"M." Answer this question: What is the cardinality of the
set "P" of profits?
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 2000: A logger sells a truckload of
lumber for $100. His cost of production is $120. How does Arthur Anderson determine
that his profit margin is $60?
Teaching Math in 2005: El hachero vende un camion carga
por $100. La cuesta de production es . . . .
And I remember when you had to actually be able to DO math in order to pass a math class. See "Teaching Math in 1950"
__________________