Posted on 07/24/2005 10:58:17 PM PDT by MoochPooch
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.
Anecdotal evidence for the evolution in teaching math since the 1950's:
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. Did he make a profit?
Teaching Math In 1980
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
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.)
Teaching Math In 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la produccion es $80 ...
I'm surprised that the customer wasn't arrested for making the girl feel uncomfortable.
What the author didn't mention, and is perhaps more important: was the workforce diverse?
Probably was. These days diversity is more important than math literacy (numeracy?).
Too many bum & deviate and mooch & sponge programs. No need to know anything to survive. A slut puppy with 4 bastard children gets the equivalent of $28,000.00 a year. And some degenarate males will eagerly benefit from her subsidized pad, phone, utilities, etc.
Ain't it the truth. Once upon a time, education helped you get ahead. Now, who needs it?
When I was in school (a really long time ago), if we were caught using a calculator we'd get a zero for the day and a trip to the main office. Nowadays kids use them for tests and some are required to have them or they fail the class. No wonder that girl couldn't make change, she didn't have her calculator with her, and the register had too many buttons.
Sounds like she needs a refill on her Zoloft prescription.
You and your nickel and three pennies. You made that little girl cry for no reason. What about her self esteem? What about her emotions and her 'feel good' attitude!?
You are so mean, you would probably kill a spotted owl with your bare hands, you, Republican, you!
/sarc
Years ago the little neighborhood grocery store was taken over by new owners. It had always been customary for locals to run a tab to be paid off weekly, and they continued on with the tradition.
The new owners grandson was attending the counter when I put a few items on the counter, including a gallon of milk (kid was probably about 16). His grandfather instructed him to write down the items on a little booklet along with the price of the items.
The kid picks up a pen and asks his grandad, "How do you spell milk"?
A sad comment is right.
"Sounds like she needs a refill on her Zoloft prescription."
Hope some other drug isn't clogging her brain.
I wasn't allowed to use a calculator, either. To this day I balance my checkbook by hand. It really clears my mind --gives it a workout.
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