Math Teaching through the Ages

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 7:54 pm

Subject: Teaching Math 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 exchanges a set "L" of lumber for a set "M" of money. The cardinality of set "M" is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set "M." The set "C", the cost of production, contains 20 fewer points than set "M." Represent the set "C" as a subset of set "M" and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set "P" of profits?

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:
By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down the trees?
There are no wrong answers.

Teaching Math in 2000:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.
His cost of production is $120.
How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?

der Moench · Post by **der Moench** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:03 pm

Oh, the horror

It's all too, too true.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:21 pm

Originally posted by fable
Teaching Math in 1990:
By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down the trees?
There are no wrong answers.

I wish I was learning maths back then.

Poor squirrels...

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:30 pm

Re: Re: Math Teaching through the Ages

Originally posted by Tamerlane
I wish I was learning maths back then.

Poor squirrels...

You mean you weren't?

I was thinking the same thing

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:33 pm

I was in the first grade. So all we did was learn to count

VoodooDali · Post by **VoodooDali** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:42 pm

Originally posted by fable
Subject:
Teaching Math in 1970:
A logger exchanges a set "L" of lumber for a set "M" of money. The cardinality of set "M" is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set "M." The set "C", the cost of production, contains 20 fewer points than set "M." Represent the set "C" as a subset of set "M" and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set "P" of profits?

I remember New Math all too well...

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:46 pm

Originally posted by Tamerlane
I was in the first grade. So all we did was learn to count

Awwwww

Well, that's kind of maths...

josh · Post by **josh** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:51 pm

Originally posted by Fable
Teaching Math in 2000:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.
His cost of production is $120.
How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?

Who's Arthur Andersen?

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 9:28 pm

Originally posted by Georgi
Awwwww Well, that's kind of maths...

The rewards were better back then. I'd choose a shiny sticker and a stamp any day over an A.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 9:59 pm

Originally posted by fable
Teaching Math in 1970:
A logger exchanges a set "L" of lumber for a set "M" of money. The cardinality of set "M" is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set "M." The set "C", the cost of production, contains 20 fewer points than set "M." Represent the set "C" as a subset of set "M" and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set "P" of profits?

Fable, sir, my pre-calculus professor requests that you stop eavesdropping on his class.

That really does sound a lot like what we do in Pre-cal, only easier.

@.@

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 10:57 pm

Funny

and horrible since it holds too much truth

What will Teaching maths in 2010 be?

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.
His cost of production is $100.
What genetic engineering and tailor-made pharmacological treatments must he go through to be able to work so hard so his profit will be $20 after Anderson took $60?

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 11:32 pm

Originally posted by josh

Who's Arthur Andersen?

I was wondering the same thing.

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 11:40 pm

Originally posted by josh

Who's Arthur Andersen?

The Arthur Anderson accounting firm is the firm that "creatively" managed Enrons financial statements.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Wed Mar 13, 2002 11:44 pm

You think that's bad? My entire class had to do the "Binomial Bertie Dance". The horror, the horror!

The fallen one · Post by **The fallen one** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:16 am

Teaching math in the 80's No wounder I am so bad at math. This is why I love my calculator.

McBane · Post by **McBane** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:24 am

Originally posted by T'lainya

The Arthur Anderson accounting firm is the firm that "creatively" managed Enrons financial statements.

It employs 90,000 people around the world. It is on the verge of falling apart due to the Enron issues. The entire financial reporting/auditing practices are about to be hugely impacted by this.

Fezek · Post by **Fezek** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:30 am

I have to admit that company Options given to employees as a part of their remuneration packages has been badly reported in company accounts over the past few years. I think this is what is going to blow the accounting standards to bits. Incidentally, some of the top insurers in England have been asking their clients to Opt back into state pensions schemes. Why? Beccause they can't afford to pay baby-boomers their pensions in 10 years time. Pop goes the Weasel!!

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 8:51 pm

Originally posted by Tamerlane
The rewards were better back then. I'd choose a shiny sticker and a stamp any day over an A.

A gold star, a gold star!

My secondary school used to give out "merit slips" for good work... For most people, a piece of paper wasn't a particular incentive, but my parents gave me £1 for each one... it was quite a profitable business really

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 10:21 pm

Well...

Originally posted by fable
How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?

...it depends...how much profit do YOU want?

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Fri Mar 15, 2002 12:55 am

Originally posted by Georgi
My secondary school used to give out "merit slips" for good work... For most people, a piece of paper wasn't a particular incentive, but my parents gave me £1 for each one... it was quite a profitable business really

The greatest motivational factor ever would have to to free cash.

But I'd still rate a sticker up there.