The New Math
Over the years one of the most popular problems in math textbooks have been
word problems. Due to changes in society and culture over the years, the exact
wording of these problems must be updated to keep the problem relevant to the
current world. Here we trace the path of a word problem involving a lumber company
as it keeps up with the changing world.
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 "C" as a subset of set "M"
and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set "P"
for profits?
Teaching Math in 1980:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. Her cost of production is
$80 and her 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 1995:
By laying off 40% of its loggers, a company improves its stock price from
$80 to $100. How much capital gain per share does the CEO make by exercising
his stock options at $80? Assume capital gains are no longer taxed, because
this encourages investment.
Teaching Math in 1997:
A company out sources all of its loggers. The firm saves on benefits, and when
demand for its product is down, the logging work force can easily cut back.
The average logger employed by the company earned $50,000, had three weeks vacation,
a nice retirement plan and medical insurance. The contracted logger charges
$50 per hour. Was outsourcing good move?
Teaching Math in 1998:
A laid-off logger with four kids at home and a ridiculous alimony from his first
failed marriage goes postal, mowing down 16 executives and a couple of secretaries,
and gets lucky when he nails a politician on the premises collecting his kickback.
Was outsourcing the loggers a good move for the company?
Teaching Math in 1999:
A laid-off logger serving time in Folsom for blowing away several people
is being trained as a COBOL programmer in order to work on Y2K projects.
What is the probability that the automatic cell doors will open on their
own at 00:00:01, 01/01/2000?
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