New Math vs Old Math

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Subject: 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?

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Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

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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?

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2. Teaching Math In 1960

A logger sells a t ruckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

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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?

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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.

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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 animal s 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 )

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6. Teaching Math In 2007

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

[pedroh 21]

that's a bad translation...

but LOL.. yeah.. them kids get wacko when u give them more change

[Niels Bohr 72]

I know what you mean. However, when I was working through college I get confused sometimes when someone give me change after the transaction is completed. Sometimes I mess up. And, you can guess what my major was in college, double engineering degree.

Sometimes when a person is stressed and there is a lot of people waiting in line, it makes them panic and think slower when someone gives them change after the transaction is completed. I remember when I was only waiting for 1 person, I can solve the math correctly. But, when given 10 people waiting in line, I cannot think as quick.

This is coming from a professional engineer. I deal with higher order mathematics with physics, and quantum physics. Estimation theory, Bayesian Analysis, Vectors, Calculus, Differentials, Advanced Mathematics, etc...for many of my applications. Remember, don't judge a person too quickly if they're cashiers.

Edited April 23, 2007 by consolemaster

[Anna C. 4]

:lol:

Unfortunately, so true (in Europe as well)!

[almaty 19]

i agree...they need to call in the manager to figure it out

[payxibka 10,047]

I was at WalMart the other day and when the cashier inputted the amount of money tendered, the register told them exactly how many of which denomination of currency and coins (with nice little pictures of what the currency and coins looked like) to return to me as change....

[Niels Bohr 72]

I wonder if any of our members here worked in retail before. I would like to say something, but, I don't want to be mean. It was mean to me when I experienced those situations when the customer was thinking that I was the ' idiot.' It's really frustrating.

Little did they know that I know more mathematics than their puny calculations. When you encounter a stressful environment where you must ring people out as much as possible to appease the customer patience of waiting thus increasing loyalty, and at the same time giving correct change is very stressful.

I don't know how to put it. At Princeton, the faculty lounge is a very relaxed and easy going room. It has recliners, a fireplace, etc...It's designed to bring the mind at ease, and for these scientists to better share their ideas. People cannot think clearly in a think-quick environment.

Edited April 23, 2007 by consolemaster

[payxibka 10,047]

I wonder if any of our members here worked in retail before. I would like to say something, but, I don't want to be mean. It was mean to me when I experienced those situations when the customer was thinking that I was the ' idiot.' It's really frustrating.

I worked in retail from the age of 14, as we had a family owned retail business (mid-70's)... this was before the advent of calculators and computers (we had a very old cash register and a non-electric "pull-handle" style adding machine). Not only did we have to figure out how to make "change" and we had to calculate the additional sales tax in our "heads" (particularly when we were very busy and could not wait to use the convienience of the adding machine).

[MissStacey 1]

I was at WalMart the other day and when the cashier inputted the amount of money tendered, the register told them exactly how many of which denomination of currency and coins (with nice little pictures of what the currency and coins looked like) to return to me as change....

I think that is a great idea. It is true- when you are a cashier and have a line of people- some giving you dirty looks because they have to wait, it can be a little stressful. Math skills can go out the window.

I am worried about if I have a job in the US and handling money- It is all green! In Canada, the bills are all different colours. It is easier to tell which is which without having to really look.

Also many times I have tipped a 10 instead of a 1 in the US- I wasn't looking. But the bartenders love me

Edited April 23, 2007 by Stacey33

[Jasman0717 9]

i agree...they need to call in the manager to figure it out

This actually happened to a friend of mine. The manager couldn't figure it out either so they ended up giving my friend the order for free.

Computers and calculators some times cause a negative outcome.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I worked in retail from the age of 14, as we had a family owned retail business (mid-70's)... this was before the advent of calculators and computers (we had a very old cash register and a non-electric "pull-handle" style adding machine). Not only did we have to figure out how to make "change" and we had to calculate the additional sales tax in our "heads" (particularly when we were very busy and could not wait to use the convienience of the adding machine).

No ###### you have to do it your head. Everyone does. You think some of these cashier aren't? Don't give yourself the benefit of a doubt. Fast food in Mcdonalds has gotten faster on their demand. It's different nowadays, however, the skill remains the same. You have no idea that in order to become an engineer nowadays is not as simple as just knowing things.

I had to use the slide-rule to determine my logarithms in the past. These calculators and computers are designed by engineers. They know how to make it so that they can determine the cosine and sine of angles, euler's number, etc...We used Taylor and Maclurean series to get the approximate values without calculators. As a matter of fact, the calculators uses Taylor and Maclurean series to get the values of these trig functions. You know, there's more into it than things such as not knowing instantly how to figure things out. Sometimes, these cashier may not to think of stuff quickly. I know that everyone suffers brain farts.

Enough. I'm leaving this topic, it's getting me heated. I am mad because some of these cashier may very well turn out to be an engineer like me someday.

Edited April 23, 2007 by consolemaster

[payxibka 10,047]

I worked in retail from the age of 14, as we had a family owned retail business (mid-70's)... this was before the advent of calculators and computers (we had a very old cash register and a non-electric "pull-handle" style adding machine). Not only did we have to figure out how to make "change" and we had to calculate the additional sales tax in our "heads" (particularly when we were very busy and could not wait to use the convienience of the adding machine).

No ###### you have to do it your head. Everyone does. You think some of these cashier aren't? Don't give yourself the benefit of a doubt. Fast food in Mcdonalds has gotten faster on their demand. It's different nowadays, however, the skill remains the same. You have no idea that in order to become an engineer nowadays is not as simple as just knowing things.

I had to use the slide-rule to determine my logarithms in the past. These calculators and computers are designed by engineers. They know how to make it so that they can determine the cosine and sine of angles, euler's number, etc...We used Taylor and Maclurean series to get the approximate values without calculators. As a matter of fact, the calculators uses Taylor and Maclurean series to get the values of these trig functions. You know, there's more into it than things such as not knowing instantly how to figure things out. Sometimes, these cashier may not to think of stuff quickly. I know that everyone suffers brain farts.

Enough. I'm leaving this topic, it's getting me heated. I am mad because some of these cashier may very well turn out to be an engineer like me someday.

You clearly make no sense......

[almaty 19]

i agree...they need to call in the manager to figure it out

This actually happened to a friend of mine. The manager couldn't figure it out either so they ended up giving my friend the order for free.

Computers and calculators some times cause a negative outcome.

wow, that is wild..

[Niels Bohr 72]

No sense? How am I not making sense? Huh? Explain where am I not making any sense? If I am not, explain why.

Edited April 23, 2007 by consolemaster

[payxibka 10,047]

No sense? How am I not making sense? Huh? Explain where am I not making any sense? If I am not, explain why.

Please follow your own advice as was posted in your previous message....

Edited April 23, 2007 by fwaguy