02/26/02

Subject:     Math teaching in the USA, or how Enron really happened                     


How Math Has Been Taught For The Last 50 Years


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 set "C" as a subset of set "M" and answer the following question:
          What is the cardinality of the set "P" of profits?
Alternately, set up a number line representing the set of real (rational and 
irrational numbers) representing the infinite continuum, and use that to do 
the operation commonly referred to as subtraction but which is really the 
addition of negative quantities.  Explain your work.


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 forest trees and thereby 
murdering these living beings, 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 - unless you include a recipe for 
poached spotted owl.


Teaching Match in 2000:  A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100.
His cost of production is $120.  How does Arthur Andersen determine that his 
profit margin is $60?  Would it surprise you to learn that Arthur Andersen's 
accountants studied math after 1950?