Math 1950-2007

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:

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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 )

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6. Teaching Math In 2007

Un hachero vende una carretada de madera por $100. El costo de la
producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

LOL! I work in the education field and have numerous family members who teach as well, so this is going to be an exception to my self-imposed "never mass e-mail jokes" rule. :)

The sad part about that 'joke', is that I've actually had that situation on numerous occasions where the cashier is confused when you give them some change to get back an even dollar and they are stumped.

The other day I handed some change to a cashier after handing them the bills. They stood there, looked at it a minute.... then proceeded to give me the change from just the bills.

Its a sad time we live in. Working in the Point of sale Industry we've all taken but taken the brains out of working a modern day cash register. I see it every day, 16-18 year old kids that couldn't make change if forced too at gun point.

I wouldn't be too tough on sales clerks. They stand at a register all day, and most of the time they don't even punch in prices anymore. It's all barcode. They scan scan scan scan scan. Then they type in what you paid and are presented with a readout detailing what change to deliver. Sometimes the machine even does that for them (with one of those neat-o change dispensers.)

Do that 2076 times and you become benumbed. Then some geezer gives you 8 cents AFTER YOU TYPED IN THE PREVIOUS CASH TENDERED and it jars them out of their protective mental reverie. Now they have to make a decision. Is it "ok" to conduct a transaction different from what the machine is telling me to do? Will I get in trouble? If it's ok, am I doing the math correctly here? I haven't had to do math since high school, and now my ass is on the line. Quit staring at me and looking at your watch you bastard! I HATE THIS JOB! DAMN IT WHAT THE HELL!?!?

Etc.

Two words: Debit Card... No math needed - 2011 math

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [AK]Rocks

Two words: Debit Card... No math needed - 2011 math

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This man speaks the truth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [AK]Squidly

This man speaks the truth.

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We still have members at the Credit Union who will not give up their ATM cards. They use them at POS, and continue to pay the $1.00 fee for using the ATM card at POS. We try to convince them, the Debit card works exactly like your ATM, except you can just use your signature without entering your PIN, and avoid the $1.00 fee. Hell, you can even use the Debit card and use the PIN number and STILL incur the $1.00 fee if it makes you feel better.

But they hear all this stuff on TV about how Debit cards are all about fraud, etc. Doesn't matter that they are protected by VISA - they just want nothing to do with it. We, as an Institution, love Debit cards. Fee Income from VISA transactions. ;)

Honestly, I think the primary reason is they don't want to change their PIN number. :D