Years of Math 1950 - 2013

[Oldgrunt]

From my email:

Years of Math 1950 - 2013

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 In1970s
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/inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of woodlands. He does this to 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 2009
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la roducciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

7. Teaching Math In 2013
Who cares, just steal the lumber from your rich neighbor's property. He won't have a gun to stop you, and the President says it's OK anyway cuz it's redistributing the wealth.

 

[mwhals]

I teach college math on the side with my main job being a chemical engineer. I get students that think 0/X is undefined and X/0 is zero! I tell them they have it backward and they have to check it in their calculator to test if I am right! Really?

 

[Peggy Reist]

I teach college math on the side with my main job being a chemical engineer. I get students that think 0/X is undefined and X/0 is zero! I tell them they have it backward and they have to check it in their calculator to test if I am right! Really?

At least you're still teaching math. I often wonder if anyone is. Or teaching anything as far as that goes. When kids know that there's no consequences for them, they lose any incentive to excel. They know that they're going to pass because most schools no longer hold a student back even if they're downright stupid or just too lazy to study.

Computers and calculators are wonderful tools and most people carry both with them everywhere they go in their smart phone. I wasn't so lucky. I grew up before there were personal computers and calculators were desktop machines. I had to actually learn the stuff.

 

[vernsimpson]

All we have to do is look at how our "wonderful and caring" gubment does the math. Such as the unemployment numbers, budget, spending and spending cuts. If a business used the same math they would all be in jail.

I had a similar experience when I was paying for something that was $10.16 and gave the girl a $20.00. Then gave her the $0.16. She did not know what to do. I told her to just give me a $10 bill back. She finally did but she kept looking at me trying to figure out how I had cheated her. Kids now days are allowed to use a calculator when they are doing quiz's. I can remember how I could get in trouble for counting on my fingers! And was really in trouble when I took off my shoes to count on my toes! :jester:

 

[telpinaro]

At least you're still teaching math. I often wonder if anyone is. Or teaching anything as far as that goes. When kids know that there's no consequences for them, they lose any incentive to excel. They know that they're going to pass because most schools no longer hold a student back even if they're downright stupid or just too lazy to study.

That, and they still expect too much. All rules, all the time, lots of paper, lots of writing, lots of sitting, must be quiet. No meaningful consequences or rewards for good behavior. For crying out loud, my kid's teacher complained that he was arguing with adults. I want to know why they argued back! My kid is pretty brilliant (even considering I am obviously biased), but he's 6! Either give him more challenging work that he's interested in, or lighten up so he doesn't think he's "bad" and give up!

I bet you I could explain division to him (he already gets multiplication), and he'd solve that first problem.

 

[mwhals]

No calculators permitted in my class. They are in college, so they should know how to do arithmetic.

 

[nontechguy]

Loved the comparison.
I still give the clerk the odd change just to mess with them. Sometimes they amaze men and give me the correct change without comment.
So at least some people are still learning math.
I didn't even have a calculator until I was in my 30s. :smile: