The 'Evolution of Math Instruction' over the past half century.

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 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 set "C"
as the subset of set "M" and answer this question: What is the cardinality of
the set "P" of profits?

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:
By cutting down beautiful 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 2000:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is
$120. How does Arthur Anderson determine that his profit margin is $60?

Teaching Math in 2010:
El hachero vende un camion carga por $100. La cuesta de productiones......

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RMSTringer
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