Evolution in the Teaching of Third Grade Math.
Today I purchased a burger for $1.58. The young cashier took my 2 one Dollar bills, then I pulled 8 cents from my pant’s pocket and gave them to her. She stood there holding the nickel and 3 pennies, just looking at the screen on her register. I asked her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she started to cry. Why do I tell you this? I tell you this because of the evolution since the 1950s in the teaching of math and science.
1. Math in the 1950s.
A lumberjack sells a truckload of logs for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of this price. What is his profit ?
2. Math in the 1960s
A lumberjack sells a truckload of logs for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Math in the 1970s
A lumberjack sells a truckload of logs for $100. His cost of production
is $80. Did he make a profit ?
4. Math in the 1980s
A lumberjack sells a truckload of logs for $100. His cost of production
is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Math in the 1990s
A selfish lumberjack cuts down a beautiful forest because he is an inconsiderate Capitalist who cares nothing for the habitat of animals, the lives of trees, or the preservation of our endangered woodlands, not to mention Man Caused Global Warming.
He does this so he can make an obscene profit of $20. What do you think of his selfish way of making a living by destroying the Earth’s environment?
Topic for discussion: Tell us how the birds and the chipmunks feel about this greedy lumberjack cutting down their wonderful homes? By the way there are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying or need to be excused from class so you can visit a school funded grief counselor it's ok.
6. Math in the Twenty-first Century:
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?
ANSWER: His profit is $16,375,098.24 because his logging operation is a front for smuggling marijuana.