Monday, January 29, 2007

The Evolution of Math

I couldn't resist the temptation to steal this from A Secular Franciscan Life It's too good to pass up! If you haven't been there yet, check it out.

The Evolution of Math in the United States


Last week I purchased a burger and fries at McDonalds for $3.58. The counter girl took my $4.00 and 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 …

Teaching Math In 1960

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 1970

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 1980

A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1990

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 2000

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.)

Teaching Math In 2006

Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar?

OK, I admit, I don't speak Spanish, 'cause this is Canada, and French is our second language, merci beaucoup, but I went to Free Translation.com and here is the text translation it spit out. It's almost as funny as the joke!

A rancher sells a highway of wood for $100. The I cost of the produccion was $80. As many as omelettes can be bought?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The translator translated "tortillas" as "omelets"?!? That's silly.

The second sentence should read, "How many tortillas can he buy?"

God Bless, dear sister.
RyanL

paramedicgirl said...

The translator is not perfect. Whenever I need to use it, it always mixes up a few things. Some of them are pretty funny!

Anonymous said...

Hahaha :D

Now that did make me laugh! Especially having had a Calculus lesson earlier.

Sorry to hear about what happened to you on CAF, wont be the same without you. The 'trad' forum already feels empty - I just dont see the point in replying to anything anymore.

Pax tecum,
Nick

paramedicgirl said...

Thanks, Nick. When are you going to put something new up on your blog? I'm going to put a link to you, and then all my readers will expect to see new stuff, ya know!!!

Anonymous said...

poor you, and that poor girl. perhaps she is just not good at math?

Adoro said...

ROFL!

I'm not great at math, in fact, my brain simply won't spit out numbers, but even I understood that! That poor girl...

Loved the joke, loved the translation! I have a relic with something in Italian on the back. As I do speak Spanish, I tried to figure it out, to no avail. So I tried two different translators, and both of them were HILARIOUS!

Babelfish was one of them, I can't remember the other.

Thanks...I needed the laugh!