Math ...
Last week I purchased a burger and fries
at McDonalds for $3.58.
The counter girl took my $4.00
and 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:
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.)
