Posted on 03/07/2006 6:56:04 AM PST by ZULU
Math 1950-2005
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 1950
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 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?
3. Teaching Math In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. 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.
5. 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.)
6.Teaching Math In 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80.
bump
HF
I would imagine it is easier to skim the till and blame the innumerate for the 'shorts'.
Well stated...kudos.
We read to her every night - one bible story and two story books. Reading her Wind in the Willows right now.
She has issues - she can read and write BACKWARDS as easily as forwards...and gets them mixed up! Very disconcerting...
Also she refuses to let us teach her - has to be a school a teacher.
I'm with you...
Both my kids were readers in Kindergarten. My oldest, now 2nd grade, is working fractions.
It's all relative to the school districts. That's why I sought out the BEST schools in the area and moved there!
R3
Laughing and crying. Sad but true. I like to mess with the fast food cashiers. If my total comes to 3.22, I'll give them a five dollar bill and a quarter, because I want two one dollar bills and 3 cents change, to save from getting so much change. You ought to see how many times I have to walk them through the process of making change. So sad.
i'm amazed by alot of the younger people that work at my bar. they absolutely rely on the computer to add up their checks and count their change. seriously tho.. how hard is it to add in your head; 4 beers at $3 each, and the customer hands you a $20 bill.
I think it is just a matter of time until all the person at the register has to do is put the money tendered into the till and press a button for a graphic display of what to give back. The cost of installing such capability will become minor compared to the losses from not having it.
I bought a chicken basket at Church's Chicken once.
The bill was $2.80 or so, I tendered a five-dollar bill, expecting two dollars and change. I always announce "five" or "ten" or "twenty" when I give a bill, so it sticks in their (and my) mind. So I said "Five" as I gave it to her.
She gave me two dollars and change, and another (different) five dollar bill.
I said "That's not right", handing the five back to her.
She didn't take it, but apologized and gave me another ten.
I took it.
When I go shopping for groceries I keep a running estimate of my purchases in my head as I work my way up and down the aisles filling my cart. My goal is to get to the check-out line and be within $1 of the actual total.
I can't tell you haw many times I have obeserved this same stunned look when cashiers are confounded by the reality of the customer's coins instead of the machine.
Get rid of the calculators in Math classes!
My kids are getting a great public school education. Maybe its because I live in a rural area but my 7th grader is doing algebra, stuff that I didn't even do in high school! I'm seriously impressed!
Although I do understand the point. They don't teach "making change". My husband worked with high schoolers on a building trade project and he asked the whole class "who can tell me how to find the "center" of this square room?"
Not one kid could do it....that is sad....because its common sense.
"Also she refuses to let us teach her - has to be a school a teacher."
Oh, she's just getting started! :-)
"She has issues - she can read and write BACKWARDS as easily as forwards..."
That is NOT an issue, that is a GIFT my friend...it will serve her well throughout her life! Be glad!
BTW each of ours gets 3 Bible stories a night. My daughter knows more about the Bible than her Religious Ed teacher :-)
R3
To a point, youngsters today do the same thing. Math books still teach making change, but to the student, why commit it to long term memory when the cash register figures it for you?
I've learned many things in life, and had to relearn some of them because for whatever reason, I never had to use them until recently or 10 years ago. Don't use it, you lose it.
This could hold true for this young person. In 1950, cash registers only kept a running total of the purchases. You had to know how to make change. In 2006 they calculate change, make a coupon, say thank you and give you an 800 number to call to register your customer satisfaction and track your purchases if you paid with a credit card.
Every major restaurant chain is eventually going to rely on electronic transactions for more and more of their business. If you talk to someone in the corporate management of one of these companies, they'll tell you that one of their primary goals is to drastically reduce the company's exposure to losses related to the handling of cash on the premises of these restaurants (incorrect change, theft, etc.).
Me too. Also, handy to teach your kids, grandchildren....
IMO, the bigger issue (other than the slanted politics being taught in school) is a dependency on technology for basic skills.
No batteries, electricity, no computers, no calculators?
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