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OT: The History of Math

THE HISTORY OF MATH: Last week I purchased a burger for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2.00, and I was digging for my change when I pulled eight cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and three 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? Please read more about the "History of teaching math": Teaching Math in 1950 - A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is

4/5 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 4/5 of the price, or 80. What is his profit: Teaching Math in 1970 - 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 2005 - El hachero vende un camion carga por $100. La cuesta de production es................ And we wonder why jobs requiring intellingence are being outsourced?
Reply to
Rich Grise
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Anyone reading your posts is clear on the reason, Rich.

Reply to
John R. Carroll

I'd say "Out of two oh-eight", so they can enter $2.08 as cash tendered into the register and let it tell them to give me $0.50 back. Once they have entered the $2.00 they may not know how to cancel or change it.

jsw

Reply to
Jim Wilkins

I think the point Rich Grise was trying to make was how sad it is that there are folks running cash registers that don't know how to make change. Of course, that's the point of the model that's had increasing use since Henry Ford's assembly line--don't require expertise on the part of the workers and you don't have to pay them as much. Hopefully this cashier is still in high school. What's the matter Rich, you didn't want fries with that? : )

Bill

Reply to
Bill

I guess I neglected to indicate that it was just a quote I was forwarding.

Thanks, Rich

Reply to
Rich Grise

It is true, though. When I was in 1st grade we made cardboard cash registers and learned to count change. That is no longer taught at any grade level.

Practical use of any learning died with the demise of Industrial Arts. Children are now taught "concepts" without any understanding or comprehension of practical application.

Reply to
Gene

What did you have in mind? I am saddened too by the loss of in the teaching of the industrial arts. But I don't think good teachers are omitting applications... At the time, few of the college students I know can explain how a flash light or lamp works--they seem to lack the concept of "circuit". Strange but true.

Bill

Reply to
Bill

I guess I neglected to indicate that it was just a quote I was forwarding.

Thanks, Rich

Reply: About 10 years ago, I did the same thing at a Jack in the Box. Clerk finally said we can not do that. In other words he had brain lock.

Reply to
Califbill

There is hope however. Try this test at In and Out Burgers and you will probably find that the clerk will not have any trouble making change. Of all the fast food places, In and Out seem to give their potential employees an IQ test and only keep the smart ones.

Reply to
RS at work

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