An Old Joke, But New To Me
The author says this is an old joke, but it was new to me. It traces the evolution of math quizzes in our public schools:
1960s
A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is four-fifths of that amount. What is his profit?1970s New-math
A logger exchanges a set (L) of lumber for a set (M) of money. The
cardinality of Set M is 100. The set C of production costs contains 20
fewer points. What is the cardinality of Set P of profits?1980s
A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. Her cost is $80, her profit is $20. Find and circle the number 20.
1990s
An unenlightened logger cuts down a beautiful stand of 100 trees in
order to make a $20 profit. Write an essay explaining how you feel
about this as a way to make money. Topic for discussion: How did the
forest birds and squirrels feel?
He goes on to show how reality may have overtaken the joke.
