The New, New Math

[Biker Bill]

The New, New Math

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 1960s:


1. Teaching Math In 1960s (when I was in school)

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 1970s

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 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ? Yes or No


4. 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.


5. Teaching Math In 2000s

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).

 

[Moonman]

And they said drugs don't hurt you. Many future teachers were at Woodstock.

 

[RCR]

SO TRUE!!!

 

[sophie]

I run into the same thing at times and I feel sorry for the kids that are behind the counter. They don't know how to count in their head or figure anything out short of what that computer register in front of them is showing them. They have surely missed the boat.
Every once in a while I run onto a cashier that will count your money back to you the correct (old fashioned) way and I will compliment them.
You don't see it much anymore.

James

 

[fiasconva]

Uhhh, those "teachers" that were at Woodstock have long since retired. They aren't the ones writing the feel good books and such.

 

[jrm53]

I dont eat at to many fast food places but I think the register keys have pictures on them of what you ordered, I dont know what Burger King has on theirs, I dont know if they still advertise "get it your way".I had a friend that used to have a sign in his business that said "This aint Burger King, you get it my way or you dont get it". Jeff

 

[Kanewpadle]

One dollar and fifty eight cents!? What did you buy? The Junior Junior Whopper?

 

[jlrhiner]

And they said drugs don't hurt you. Many future teachers were at Woodstock.

I doubt at this point any future teachers were at Woodstock. Maybe some future teachers grandparents

 

[DeadAye]

And they said drugs don't hurt you.
Many future teachers were at Woodstock.

Yeah - About those drugs --
Where are the flashbacks they promised?

Future teachers at Woodstock, Eh?
And to think - This thread is about math...

 

[sjmjax]

Experience that all the time.

Most memorable example was when I had a purchase for $7.87.

Gave the guy running the cash register $10.12.

He looked at the money, looked at me, looked at the money....

I said "just ring it up".

When the cash register showed him $2.25 in change he did a very good impression of Tommy Chong in "That 70's Show" when he exclaimed...

"Wow man! How did you know IT would do that?"

 

[ljmvaw124]

Try finding someone who knows how to operate a slide rule - or for that matter, what it is ..............

 

[jkc]

I dunno--- As I mentioned in another thread about innumerate cash register operators, I'm not sure it's fair to castigate the kids or their education --- I think they are forced to deal with machines that are obstrerperous, and can't deal with odd incriments of change, etc.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

That happens to me all the time. Kids behind the counter can't understand how I know how much change I have coming. If they lose their computers they are lost.The thing that bothers me is that minimum wage in Oregon is $8.80 per hour. And that doesn't include tips. I remember working in a service station for 80 cents an hour when I was in high school & opening & closing & helping keep the books.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Try finding someone who knows how to operate a slide rule - or for that matter, what it is ..............

I have two. One was used by my father at Georgia Tech in the 40's and one was used my me in the 60's.

Now I just use spreadsheets.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Charlie Sherrill's son, my nephew, gets 2 dollar bills at the bank so that he can confuse cashiers. Frequently they call a manager because they think that the 2 dollar bills are fake.

 

[hoppes-no9]

The New, New Math

1. Teaching Math In 1960s (when I was in school)

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 1970s

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 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ? Yes or No


4. 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.


5. Teaching Math In 2000s

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).

You forgot one:

6. Teaching Math in the 2010s

El hachero vende un camion cargado de lena por $100. Su gasto de produccion es........

 

[McBear]

Here is a sample of the current ACT math section [the standardized test for college acceptance/placement].

http://faculty.etsu.edu/stephen/actmath.pdf

 

[David LaPell]

A couple of weeks ago the wife and I were at Wallyworld and the grocery bill came to $238.00 and some change. I handed the woman $250.00. She hands me back a dollar and some change. So I tell her I gave her $250, I know because I counted it before I gave it to her, and then watched her count it, five twenties and a fifty. The girl first argues a bit and then says, "I owe you four more dollars" and I reply that she owes me a bit more. She then has to get out the calculator and does up the math and comes up with the right amount, which she hands to me. She never apologized, just handed me the money. You have to keep right on them because if you dont you are liable to get shortchanged.

 

[speedyquad]

i think there are a lot of people that don't get change back too. i know myself, i use my check card. i very rarely have cash on me anymore as i tend to spend it on junk food at work and i hate having coins in my pocket or a collection in my vehicle. and when i do use cash, i don't see this problem as the register spits out the correct amount.

 

[brucev]

Things change. Like slide-rules, typewriters, word processors, record players, things change. And people change to best use the technology. Nowadays I can't imagine anyone buying many encyclopedias... or dictionaries, etc. Most folks use computers. If the ability to count back change was a significant value to the majority of customers, businesses would address it, just like they've addressed childcare issues by putting changing stations in women's and men's rooms. A cashier is primarily tasked with ringing up purchases and handling the payment. Taking th e time to count out change, taking time to calculate the amount of change due, etc. does not increase their efficiency.