Fifty Years of Math

[BigguyZ]

OK, I found this waaaay too funny not to share.

Fifty Years of Math 1957 - 2007

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The countergirl
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?

[ironhat]

Those are about the new standards, aren't they. I was at a church function a couple of weeks ago and heard a couple of teachers clammering about the new Englsh proficiency standards. They thought it very nervy that the state now wanted high school students to be accountable for spelling, grammer, sentence construction and evidence of constructive thought. Gee, sounds like high school in the '60's. How awful!! LOL! I guess things generally go full circle. Unfortunately, the Industrial Arts program isn't following suit and seems to be going the way of art and music. Too bad on all accounts!

[MilDoc]

We've been dumbed down by education over the past few decades. I hope it turns around or the USA is in trouble.

But then, high school students here can take Horticulture ("an easy 'A'" according to a student I asked), and of course get credit for working three 1/2 days a week at Taco Bell. Good training for a future career.

[Stormbringer]

Bigguy

You got me rotflmao

Thanks much,
Greg

[TB Roye]

If there wasn't so much truth in the story It would be a lot funnier. Still got a chuckle. That is one of the 1st things I learned in Jr. High School Math. Went to a big name bank one time and the teller was counting on her fingers. Withdrew money immediately and went to another back Great News. California got a budget passed with even funnier math, and like almost 2months late. Won't go any farther on subject.

Tom

[Ed62]

It's funny. , but it's sad.

Ed

[mater]

We've been dumbed down by education over the past few decades. I hope it turns around or the USA is in trouble.

Amen to that!

[BigguyZ]

What made it funny for me was the initial story, and the fact that I recently went to a fast food place for a quick dinner. The total was $7.xx, and I gave the guy $13. The young man working the register commented "It's only $7.xx...", and my response was I know.

[jackellis]

Anyone other than Loring know what a slide rule is? Does anyone know or remember how to use one?

Writing is becoming a lost art. My new boss, who is a younger woman, is very bright but writes abysmally. However I do have some younger friends who write brilliantly so perhaps there's hope.

[ragswl4]

Anyone other than Loring know what a slide rule is? Does anyone know or remember how to use one?

Writing is becoming a lost art. My new boss, who is a younger woman, is very bright but writes abysmally. However I do have some younger friends who write brilliantly so perhaps there's hope.

Yep, I know what a slide rule is. Used one in college prep math class in my senior year in high school (1965) and again in advanced electronics school in the Navy in 1971. If you couldn't use a slide rule, you couldn't pass the class.

[ironhat]

Yep, the last time I used one was in a college physics class in 1972. Someone stole it and I couldn't afford another one and had to borrow one the rest of the semester. Then, while cleaning out Dad's (FIL) things I came across his from his early years as an electrical engineer. It has a fond meaning for me and I enjoy using it to show up the kids and their calculators. They are a great tool!!

[Pappy]

Do I remember slide rules? Yep, used them in trig/calc my senior year in HS.

Could I use one today? You have to be kidding!

Youngest graduated in the top 10% in the honors program and couldn't write a decent business letter or balance a checkbook.

His older brother was a flunk through/drop out but had some courses like practical math that tought basic skills needed to make it in the real world.

[drumpriest]

I was a student in the 80s. I must have lucked out, as I seem to remember it being more like the 50s described in this joke. I agree though, that testing and standards are a bit of a joke. I would argue that they have been for a long time. There are many good mathematicians not in the top 10%. I remember in our class valedictorian's speech, she was honest about it. She commented that she wasn't the smartest in the class, and not even the hardest worker, but the most motivated to get good grades.


Getting the grades remains important, so as to continue to a good college from high school, otherwise it's the ability to understand the concepts and apply them in some real way that is important.

And btw, yeah, I've used a slide rule, but I'd much rather wrote code for this sophisticated hunch of silicon sitting here, it's faster at arithmetic than a slide rule.

[leehljp]

My middle daughter taught 2nd - 5th grade students at a small international school in the Osaka area for 4 years. She said that Japanese students were terrible at those kinds of questions and the Japanese parents would often get mad at the school because of their children's lower than expected grades in math. They also thought that reasoning skills were not necessary for that class.

I find that women usually are better at this than the men here because the women have to deal with the real world of everyday expense and household mantenance while their husbands work 12 - 14 hour days 5 and 6 days a week.

The real reason is that Math is taught in terms of memorizing and formulas, not deductive reasoning skills. Overall, Japanese lack in this area but exceed in memorizing. "Application" of the memorized math is another matter!

[jhart]

Tried using a slide rule in High School. Couldn't use it then, and certainly could not use it now. However, for some reason, can do most math stuff in my head. Go figure!!