[ETL]

Via an e-mail some years ago, with some minor modification by myself...

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 2010:
A logger cuts down some beautiful forest trees 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?
________________________________

[VanDeKoik]

Weird.

I went to school in the 80s and answered the first question.

Then again, I went to elementary in a mostly rural area in conservative west Michigan, so there was no social promotion.

[Celtic Conservative]

Last year an episode of “Doctor Who” did a bit based on that. The doctors companion was a history teacher who was dating a math teacher at her school. They did a little bit about “find X” with the students and a girl said it’s right there at the top, can’t you see it?

LOL

CC

[petercooper]

Teaching Math In 2015: No math test today. We are all going to head downtown for a protest for gay marriage. James, why are you wearing a U.S. flag t-shirt? Don't you know that's considered pro-America. You are suspended for 2 weeks. Shaniqua, use your Obamaphone to record the police beatings we are going to receive.

[Disambiguator]

To avoid that smartass answer, the problem should have said “solve for x.”

:^)