EVOLUTION OF A MATH PROBLEM
Take a simple math problem,subject it to 30 years of "new,improved"
teaching methods,and you have Outcome Based Education....
-------------- 1960 ---------------
"A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of this price. What is his profit?"
---------- 1970 Traditional Math -----------
"A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is 4/5 of this price; in other words $80. What is his
profit?"
------------- 1970 New Math -------------
"A logger exchanges a set of L of lumber for a set of M of money. The
cardinality of set M is 100,and each element is worth $1. Make 100 dots
representing the elements of set M. The set C of costs of production
contains 20 fewer points than set M. Represent the set S as a subset of
M,and answer the following question: what is the cardinality of the set
P of profits?"
------------1980------------
"A logger sells a truckload of wood for $100. His cost of production is
$80,and his profit is $20. Your assignment: underline the number 20."
--------1990 Outcome Based Education--------
" By cutting down a beautiful rain forest full of trees,a logger made a lousy
$20, What do you think of this way of making a living? (Topic for class
participation: How do you think the animals of the forest feel about
this?)"
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