quote:

ORIGINAL: AquarianMale53

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:
-------------------------------------------
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?/

-------------------------------------------
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?/

------------------------------------------
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? /

------------------------------------------
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./

-------------------------------------------
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*.)

------------------------------------------
6. Teaching Math In 2007

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

Sad but true

quote:

ORIGINAL: DrF

Tom Lerher summed it up very nicely in his song New Math -" The important this is to understand what you are doing,  rather than to get the right answer"

DrF
"Base 8 is just like base 10 really .. if you're missing two fingers" Professor Tom Lerher

quote:

ORIGINAL: AquarianMale53

Math 1950-2007
...

Sad but true

quote:

ORIGINAL: complaisant1

::::::: But I'm gonna go ahead and assume that you're not at all meaning to suggest that either the environmentalist movement or Latino immigrants are responsible for the devolution of mathematics education in this country... :::::::::

Lets not get all bent out of shape here. .It's the budget that's too blame. Now who do we blame for the budget, or lack of it!!

~to finish first, first you must finish~

quote:

ORIGINAL: Saratov

There has to be something wrong with the system when more than 50% of high school grads who go on to college end up w/ 66-75% of their classes being remedial so that they can 'catch up' to collegiate level work.
Let's require 'em to learn it or not pass/graduate. College probably costs parents more per semester than the semesters leading to it, remedial classes don't count toward required credits.... longer time required to graduate.