Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Fifty Years of Math

I received this via email - author unknown to me.

Fifty Years of Math 1957 -2007 (in the USA )

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 1950s 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 1960s 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 1970s A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980s 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 1990s 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, and if you feel like crying, it's ok. )

6. Teaching Math In 2007 Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

This is a humorous example of the serious damage to the United States caused by big government, teachers unions, and multiculturalism. America was founded by independent thinkers who created a governmental framework to enable freedom and capitalism. We can embrace our American culture and protect it for future generations, or we can cater to special interest and group-think mentality of a dependent citizenry and watch our nation crumble before our eyes. And would the last American out of Miami please bring the flag.

##That's my opinion##

5 comments:

Name: Soapboxgod said...

Glad to see you back in the blogging saddle. A good post indeed. We have significantly strayed off course haven't we. A sense a real revolution brewing here. It is government induced situations such as this which leads me to contemplate an appropriate course of action which, as the Declaration of Independence asserts, is wholly ours to undertake.

"...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Lucid Guy said...

I agree Soapbox. Sorry for being away from the blog-o-sphere for a while.

In my opinion we need to address the root of the problem within our government - the fringe benefits of being a politician. Congress is so wrapped up in keeping their job that they don't do their job. It's all about individual and party power regardless of the consequences to the country or our global respect.

Beth said...

The decision by the Supreme Court yesterday to give terrorists the right to our courts I think should be the last straw. How do we go about abolishing and atarting over, Soapie??? Actually, all we need to do is go back to the way things are suppose to be!!!!

Name: Soapboxgod said...

"How do we go about abolishing and atarting over, Soapie???"

I'm not quite sure. It surely won't be easy. But then, "Extremism in the pursuit of Liberty is no vice."

Ordinary Guy said...

ya'll are so on it's not even funny.

I can't tell you the number of times I have to tell people what change to give me.

And BTW... I'm so disgusted with government... I'm back.

:P

Viva la Revolution!