One of the best - and totally new to me - jokes I've heard in a long
time. Like most of the good ones, it's beyond the limits of the
"ultimate PC" game :)
I learnt the wee bit of math (arithmetic, really) that managed to stick
to my two grey-cells in the (late) 50ties. So, I too am likely to hand
in the extra 8 cents to the hapless cashier, if I happen to have it. In
fact, I might have given her $10.08, if I wanted a fiver back as well
as two quarters... I trust her to be able to punch in the amount she
received, and for the register to tell her exactly how much to give me
back in change. But... I either give her all the money at once, or
start with the "small stuff"; this way, I've never had a crying cashier
to comfort :) Actually, I do it this way even when dealing with the
self-checkout machines - just in case (don't trust the machines
overmuch, either <g>)....
Once she's punched in the bigger - but sufficient to cover the bill -
number, she's helpless; all she can do is give you back your 8 pennies
and whatever other change the machine tells her to give you.
Part of the problem, of course, is not just that she's straight out of
the system which hasn't taught her to count (if it had, she wouldn't be
working at the checkout, unless during the summer, getting a head start
on her spending money for college) but that she's been plunked straight
from a "no demand" environment (school) into a "time is money" reality.
So, if she's handed enough, she'll plug it into the machine
immediately, without waiting for the dribble of rounding-off pennies...
From: J.O.
Sending this to you just because I enjoy your reactions so much. Mine?
Seems to be correct to me.
Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $3.58. The counter
girl took my $4.00 and 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 1950s:
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 sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is
$80. Did he make a profit?
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
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 2005
Un hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la
produccisn es $80. Cuantes tortillas se puede comprar?
--
Tamara P Duvall http://t-n-lace.net/
Lexington, Virginia, USA (Formerly of Warsaw, Poland)
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