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Math Teaching through the Ages
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 7:54 pm
by fable
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?
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:03 pm
by der Moench
Oh, the horror
It's all too, too true.
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:21 pm
by Tamerlane
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...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:30 pm
by Georgi
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

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:33 pm
by Tamerlane
I was in the first grade. So all we did was learn to count

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:42 pm
by VoodooDali
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...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:46 pm
by Georgi
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...
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:51 pm
by josh
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?
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 9:28 pm
by Tamerlane
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.
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 9:59 pm
by Sailor Saturn
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.
@.@
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 10:57 pm
by C Elegans
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?

Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 11:32 pm
by Sailor Saturn
Originally posted by josh
Who's Arthur Andersen?
I was wondering the same thing.
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 11:40 pm
by T'lainya
Originally posted by josh
Who's Arthur Andersen?
The Arthur Anderson accounting firm is the firm that "creatively" managed Enrons financial statements.
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2002 11:44 pm
by Ode to a Grasshopper
You think that's bad? My entire class had to do the "Binomial Bertie Dance". The horror, the horror!
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:16 am
by The fallen one
Teaching math in the 80's No wounder I am so bad at math. This is why I love my calculator. 
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:24 am
by McBane
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.
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:30 am
by Fezek
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!!
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2002 8:51 pm
by Georgi
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

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2002 10:21 pm
by Maharlika
Well...
Originally posted by fable
How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?
...it depends...how much profit do YOU want?
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2002 12:55 am
by Tamerlane
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.
