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New Math

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 2:20 pm
by Tombstone
Last week when purchasing 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:





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 maderapara $100. El costo de la

producción es $80 ....

New Math

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 2:37 pm
by abbey
:wah: :wah: Bloody funny, and probably not too far from the truth!

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 12:33 am
by john8pies
Interesting one, and do you Americans also know this `old chestnut`. 3 friends go out to dine and one expecting the bill to be £30, gets £10 from each of them . But the bill only comes to £25 so he gives the waiter a £2 tip and each friend gets £1 back (10-1 = 9)

Now trying to work this out outside the restaurant, he considers that if each paid £9, then 3 times £9 = £27 PLUS the £2 tip to the waiter = £29.

So now it`s £29 not £30 - what happened to the missing pound?! Confusing, but silly!

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 12:42 am
by lady cop
Tombstone, spot-on and hilarious to boot!

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 1:01 am
by abbey
john8pies wrote: Interesting one, and do you Americans also know this `old chestnut`. 3 friends go out to dine and one expecting the bill to be £30, gets £10 from each of them . But the bill only comes to £25 so he gives the waiter a £2 tip and each friend gets £1 back (10-1 = 9)



Now trying to work this out outside the restaurant, he considers that if each paid £9, then 3 times £9 = £27 PLUS the £2 tip to the waiter = £29.



So now it`s £29 not £30 - what happened to the missing pound?! Confusing, but silly!So where's the quid! :-2

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 7:28 am
by nvalleyvee
john8pies wrote: Interesting one, and do you Americans also know this `old chestnut`. 3 friends go out to dine and one expecting the bill to be £30, gets £10 from each of them . But the bill only comes to £25 so he gives the waiter a £2 tip and each friend gets £1 back (10-1 = 9)

Now trying to work this out outside the restaurant, he considers that if each paid £9, then 3 times £9 = £27 PLUS the £2 tip to the waiter = £29.

So now it`s £29 not £30 - what happened to the missing pound?! Confusing, but silly!


The missing pound belongs to the guy who took everyones money. He was one of the 3 friends.

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 5:10 pm
by David813
I'm bloody baffled....:-2 :yh_think

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 5:21 pm
by BTS
David813 wrote: I'm bloody baffled....:-2 :yh_thinkSo wasssss new? Pussycat.....

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 5:27 pm
by David813
BTS wrote: So wasssss new? Pussycat.....I'm just weak on math. Otherwise my brilliance is utterly stunning.

New Math

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 5:55 pm
by koan
I've noticed some other new math surfacing recently.

1+1= 1 too many.

ps. Tombstone. I can't believe you made that poor girl cry just so you could reduce the change in your pocket. :wah: