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

Buenos Noches . .

"C'est la vive?"

TrapperP

excellent post!
it would be really funny if it was"nt true!

It is very true! I bought two 50 cent items at a store and the clerk had to find a calculator to
total up the sale. New math was the biggest educational fraud I have ever seen. Butchered set theory with a bit of fanciful garbage thrown in. Most people now are mental cripples when it comes to calcuation. After you nod your head and agree with that, consider most people's vocabulary, grammar, and lack of spelling ability. It is time to implant computers in people's heads so they can calculate and communicate again.

Now I must admit that I slip once in awhile with my spelling or grammar. I wonder if this is due to the constant
bombardment from today's illiterate culture.

Sad but true.

I emailed this to a friend, and he emailed me back one that compliments (?) it - sort of. Don't know if this really happened to him but sure seems like the same folks I run into at MickeyD's!
"Recently, when I went to McDonald's I saw on the menu that you could have an order of 6, 9 or 12 Chicken McNuggets. I asked for a half dozen nuggets "We don't have half dozen nuggets," said the teenager at the counter. "You don't?" I replied. "We only have six, nine, or twelve," was the reply. "So I can't order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order six?" "That's right." So I shook my head and ordered six McNuggets."

I have lived through this, and it is true!