INTERNET MATH JOKE:
FIFTY YEARS OF MATH IN U.S.A.
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. Which is the highest of these three numbers?
5.
Teaching
Math In
1990s
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.
6.
Teaching
Math In
2000
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.)