I don't recall if this was posted before, but just had it e-mailed to me:

The New, New Math

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 1960s:


1. Teaching Math In 1960s (when I was in school)

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 1970s

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 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit ? Yes or No


4. Teaching Math In 1990s

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 2000s

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 2010

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

ANSWER: His profit was $375,000 because his logging business is just a front for his pot farm.

aint that the truth!!!
my kids come home with homework like that and I answer it for them AND send a note back to the school WTF is going on??? if you have a problem with the way this is answered heres my cell phone number ring me if you dare/ have any questions.

Good one. I saw a cartoon the other day. The first frame shows parents yelling at their kid for getting poor marks and is labelled "the Way it Was". The second frame shows parents yelling at the teacher about their kid's poor marks and it is labelled "the Way it is Now".

you have a point Mac but the teacher has the coriculum they HAVE to stick to, they dont have the freedom to teach outside the square anymore, my kids are doing so much better in this small town than they did in the city.My son can talk about going shooting at not get treated like a leeper. I gave him the friday before duck opening off to come out and set up. the school report had a explained but not acceptable absence for that day. for crying out loud they get a day off to play sports or go swimming whats the plurry difference???

Mate, this aint no joke!

Most high school graduates do not know which is larger, 1/8 or 3/32

School nowadays are just a children repository where parents put their children into while they are busy at work.

And those children are not to be subjected to childhood horror or mathematics lest they would grown up scarred and would turn into a mass murderer, or a politician or ...

Disgusting methinks.

Gelandagan that took me all of about 5 secounds to do in my head cause Im brought up in the metric age. its funny working with the Irish cause they use feet and inches which kind of suits me I use both lots of measurement.
my wife often does that with change thing and yes the looks can be priceless.