This is kind of sad. It is too real!



Evolution of Math


Subject: Evolution of 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.)

Teaching Math In 2005
Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80 Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?

 

 

That's freaking great!!!!!

I was in the mall recently, when a kid came up to me and asked if I had a calculator on my phone...

she was filling out an application in the food court and needed to do some basic subtraction skills problems,,, in order to give correct change.

 

That was great.

Very true.



It's sad the direction that society is heading.

 

I don't understand how these people have such a problem with doing that...I do it all the time, it makes it so much easier on them and myself to get rid of a tiny bit of change to make easier better change. It's outright amazing the look on some of these people's faces when you do that, even when they have a cash register in front of them that tells them the change. I had one lady actually attempt to hand me back some of the change I gave to her to equalize the cost to something that didn't include getting a pocket full of change back. I said, "No, I gave you that money for payment, not for you to give it back to me", so she replies "but you gave me too much money". I sighed and said "oh, was I supposed to give you less than the amount you told me and we'd be ok? Here, gimme back all the money I gave you, and I'll just give you a single quarter." and I chuckled. She started handing me back my money and said "but a quarter won't cover your total" to which I replied "that's ok, because I won't be giving you too much money then" and then I just walked off and ordered elsewhere. It's ridiculous when they try to figure it out in their head (which never surpassed grade school intellect) when the computer in front of them will do it for them...I just let them sit there and scratch their own head bald...

 

Too true. I can't even think of how many times I've handed over a few extra penny's to keep the change down and have gotten odd looks.

 

Somebody else finally gets it; what's really being taught to our kids?

 

I've actually had cashiers tell me that they wont accept the extra change unless I give it to them before they type in the tender amount. "It will mess up their totals"

 

If by MESS they mean confuse,
and TOTALS they mean 2nd grade educated math skill,

then it might be a possibility

 

I bought a book on sale once. There was a further deduction at the till. Then there was a sales tax to be added.

The poor girl was almost in tears.

The book was originally $10.
Add the tax of 7%
The sale was 10% off.
At the till there was a further 50% sale.

She somehow came up with a final price of $15

I can't figure out what she did. Can anyone here?

I think I finally just threw down $5 and told her to keep the change.

Without batting an eye, she punched in $5 and gave me my receipt.

 

Several years ago I had bought something at an auto parts store that was about $60. I paid w/ a check. I took it out to the car and it was the wrong part. I immediately went back into the store to return it. I went thru the same line and told the girl that she could just give me back my check but she explained she wasn't allowed to do that and she had to give me cash. Fine, whatever. She then gave $20 more than I paid. I gave it back to her and said, no, it should only be $60. She then gave me an extra $40 back on top of what I paid. Again i told her, no, it should only be $60. She apologized and said she got confused. Then she gave me an extra $50 on top of what I had paid. I said thank you and left. 3 strikes and you're out little lady. I tried to do the right thing but I was afraid I'd have to retire early if I kept it up.

 

Great post.


I love it when you go into McDs, or BK, and ask for a "half dozen" chicken nuggets, and they tell you, "I'm sorry, but all we have are the 4,6, and 9 piece sizes."

 

What are these things you guys speak of?
Cash??? Better yet... Change???

I think I remember my grandpa using those when I was a kid.

You guys are persistant I'll give you that! But your resistance is futile. We are a cashless society. Save yourself the embarassments, save yourself and the rest of us; our time, frustrations while waiting on you to dig out the money and both you and the cashier to count the cash or (shiver) CHANGE... just go get yourself a debit card. It's free and easy.

Swipe, enter PIN, cash back (Yes or No), (if yes enter how much you would like the cashier to give you out of your account) hit enter. Whala! Like magic the transaction is complete.
No foul ups and everybody is happy; as long as you know how to balance your own checking account.

 

If we are a cashless society, then why does this "cash back" thing exist?

The idea of a cashless society is an interesting one, but it won't happen in our lifetime.

Do you have any idea how much of our economy is supported via the black market? Life as we know it would collapse if cash was removed from the equation. It's ironic, but the nefarious underworld makes a lot of what we have to day possible, not to mention that banks make a lot of profit off of it as does the government. Totally cashless ain't gonna happen kids.

 

Yea I've always wondered that too. I've yet to use it in the last 10 years since I got my first debit card. I'm using the debit card to save the cash I have from the guns I sold to buy a rock from the guy on the corner. LOL

Underground is a separate society that will not be intertwined in to a governed society except by inconspicuous use of a financial institute. IE: Green to plastic. Then it's still risky. Can't buy underground with plastic because big brother documents those transactions.