Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math | For Bankers. From Bankers

Skip to content

BOL Conferences

Learn More - Click Here!

BankersOnline.com Forums Non-Business Discussions Chat! - BOL Watercooler Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math

Page 1 of 3

1

Thread Options

#391916 - 07/27/05 12:50 AM Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Fraudman CFCI Power Poster Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,189 Land of Steady Habits	The Evolution of Teaching Math Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2. I was digging for my change when 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 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 hachero vende una carretada de madera para $100. El costo de la produccisn es $80...
Return to Top

Chat! - BOL Watercooler

#391917 - 07/27/05 11:29 AM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Pup Power Poster Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 5,045 Pedaling along a scenic highwa...	Not funny. Do you have any idea how many times I've had to tell the cashier' how much my change should be?
Return to Top

#391918 - 07/27/05 12:39 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Anonymous Unregistered	That's pretty funny. Sad and true, but pretty funny.
Return to Top

#391919 - 07/27/05 12:52 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
TB 12 Power Poster Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,559 Foxboro	So sad. Cashiers dont even count the change back anymore-when i worked in the grocery store-it was required...technology has taken out all the thought. Can you imagine how it would be if they had to punch in all the prices, and not just scan it???? Very sad. _________________________ Best QB Ever. Worst Defense Ever.
Return to Top

#391920 - 07/27/05 01:43 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Okie Dokie Platinum Poster Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 798	My kids and I went to the drive-thru at McDonald's last week-end. The girl told me the price ($9.53). I gave her $20.03 and she could not figure out how much money to give me back. My 11 year old daughter in the back seat said "she gets $10.50 back". If my 11 year old can do it, should someone that works there be able to do the simple math??? _________________________ Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Return to Top

#391921 - 07/27/05 01:48 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Retired DQ 10K Club Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 40,766 Turnpike Exit 10	I was trying to understand how they teach math this past year with my 9 year old. It is truly bizarre. _________________________ Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
Return to Top

#391922 - 07/27/05 01:59 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Anonymous Unregistered	I don't think that "kids today" can't do math. I think uneducated people run cash registers at fast food places. If they could do anything else, they would!
Return to Top

#391923 - 07/27/05 02:02 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Bengals Fan Power Poster Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,990 Cincinnati, OH	Quote: My kids and I went to the drive-thru at McDonald's last week-end. The girl told me the price ($9.53). I gave her $20.03 and she could not figure out how much money to give me back. My 11 year old daughter in the back seat said "she gets $10.50 back". If my 11 year old can do it, should someone that works there be able to do the simple math??? Okie, your daughter is obviously destined for a better job than working a cash register at a fast food joint for minimum wage. The truth is, it's not just the way math is being taught in schools that is the problem, it's just a reflexion of the idiots who are hired to work cash registers because there is no other job they are qualified for.
Return to Top

#391924 - 07/27/05 02:12 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Midwest Banker Gold Star Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 349 Cheeseland	I take offense to your post Bengals Fan. As a high school student I worked every possible hour I could at McDonalds to make money, does this make me stupid or unqualified for anything else? There is no doubt that there are problems within our school systems, beyond the issue of math, but how dare you criticize someone like this, what makes you so intellectually superior?
Return to Top

#391925 - 07/27/05 02:16 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
JacF Power Poster Joined: Nov 2001 Posts: 6,719 PA	Quote: I was trying to understand how they teach math this past year with my 9 year old. It is truly bizarre. Bizarre is an understatement. 'Simple' arithmetic is anything but simple anymore. All of the garbage about breaking the numbers up and regrouping them, and the circles and trees just boggles the mind. Of course, my children don't understand any of that nonsense, but they understand the right way to add and subtract (which for some reason the school refuses to teach). And through all of this I wonder, if we all did math in this fashion, what would a check register look like?
Return to Top

#391926 - 07/27/05 02:23 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Anonymous Unregistered	Quote: I don't think that "kids today" can't do math. I think uneducated people run cash registers at fast food places. If they could do anything else, they would! This is the most cogent point on this thread. I think there are way too many people who think our society is failing.
Return to Top

#391927 - 07/27/05 02:38 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
WildTurkey Platinum Poster Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 921 Down South, USA	Quote: Quote: I don't think that "kids today" can't do math. I think uneducated people run cash registers at fast food places. If they could do anything else, they would! This is the most cogent point on this thread. I think there are way too many people who think our society is failing. I'm one of them, are you too? _________________________ This is my opinion; it is not legal advice, nor the view of my employer, and it may change tomorrow.
Return to Top

#391928 - 07/27/05 02:39 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Bengals Fan Power Poster Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,990 Cincinnati, OH	Quote: I take offense to your post Bengals Fan. As a high school student I worked every possible hour I could at McDonalds to make money, does this make me stupid or unqualified for anything else? There is no doubt that there are problems within our school systems, beyond the issue of math, but how dare you criticize someone like this, what makes you so intellectually superior? The fact that I can do simple math? I didn't say ALL employees of the fast food industry are idiots, but the ones who work there full time AND can't do math certainly are. You certainly shouldn't be offended, unless of course you were one of the idiots who can't figure out how to make change.
Return to Top

#391929 - 07/27/05 02:45 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
WildTurkey Platinum Poster Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 921 Down South, USA	[BF beat me to a reply, posted while I was still typing. ] Quote: I take offense to your post Bengals Fan. .... There is a big difference between saying (as I believe BF meant) "any idiot can get hired to work at a fast food restaurant", and saying "everyone who works at a fast food restaurant is an idiot" (which is what you apparently interpreted BF as meaning). I hear that logical thinking standards are also in decline. Last edited by WildTurkey; 07/27/05 02:48 PM. _________________________ This is my opinion; it is not legal advice, nor the view of my employer, and it may change tomorrow.
Return to Top

#391930 - 07/27/05 02:46 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Anonymous Unregistered	Right on BengalsFan. I disagree with him alot but I respect his opinions.
Return to Top

#391931 - 07/27/05 02:49 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Okie Dokie Platinum Poster Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 798	Quote: Okie, your daughter is obviously destined for a better job than working a cash register at a fast food joint for minimum wage. I certainly hope so. She wants to be a lawyer, but I'll try to talk her out of that. _________________________ Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Return to Top

#391932 - 07/27/05 02:52 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Anonymous Unregistered	Quote: Quote: Okie, your daughter is obviously destined for a better job than working a cash register at a fast food joint for minimum wage. I certainly hope so. She wants to be a lawyer, but I'll try to talk her out of that. Stop dissing lawyers. Many of us are bankers too.
Return to Top

#391933 - 07/27/05 02:59 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Okie Dokie Platinum Poster Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 798	It was a joke, hence the . Get a sense of humor why don't you. If my daughter wants to be a lawyer, I will support that decision fully. In fact, I think she would be a wonderful lawyer. She can out-argue anyone I know and she makes sure that you see her point of view before she is done. _________________________ Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Return to Top

#391934 - 07/27/05 03:01 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Anonymous Unregistered	I was joking too. I don't know how to do emotis.
Return to Top

#391935 - 07/27/05 03:14 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Okie Dokie Platinum Poster Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 798	Ok, sorry. Sometimes the tone doesn't carry over online. _________________________ Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Return to Top

#391936 - 07/27/05 03:15 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Retired DQ 10K Club Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 40,766 Turnpike Exit 10	Quote: She can out-argue anyone I know and she makes sure that you see her point of view before she is done. Myabe you could get her to register on BOL??? _________________________ Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
Return to Top

#391937 - 07/27/05 04:00 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Okie Dokie Platinum Poster Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 798	Quote: Quote: She can out-argue anyone I know and she makes sure that you see her point of view before she is done. Myabe you could get her to register on BOL??? Maybe she could give X a run for his money. _________________________ Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. ~Author Unknown
Return to Top

#391938 - 07/27/05 04:13 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
MB Guy 10K Club Joined: May 2004 Posts: 10,124 Way, way south.	[..... The truth is, it's not just the way math is being taught in schools that is the problem, it's just a reflexion of the idiots who are hired to work cash registers because there is no other job they are qualified for. How about spelling??? Just busting your goodies a little, today's my Friday as my vacation starts tomorrow! Whooohoooo! _________________________ Giddy up.
Return to Top

#391939 - 07/27/05 04:34 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Bengals Fan Power Poster Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,990 Cincinnati, OH	Quote: [..... The truth is, it's not just the way math is being taught in schools that is the problem, it's just a reflexion of the idiots who are hired to work cash registers because there is no other job they are qualified for. How about spelling??? Just busting your goodies a little, today's my Friday as my vacation starts tomorrow! Whooohoooo! Woops! I spent all weekend and yesterday moving in 95 degree plus heat. I'm definately not all here today. Besides, my ability to spell is hindered by all the purposeful mistakes made by corporate America!
Return to Top

#391940 - 07/27/05 07:19 PM Re: Why Kids Today Cannot Do Simple Math
Midwest Banker Gold Star Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 349 Cheeseland	It's funny, I have run across what I think are "idiots" in all lines of work (customer service particularly), not just math related (and yes, I can make change without a cash register or calculator, can do long division, etc) however, after my experiences in life, I will never begrudge anyone for what they can and cannot do; some things are just beyond people, even simple math. My spouse cannot do basic algebra without stuggling enormously however he can ace a stats or calculus class; go figure! All I'm saying with the previous comments is not to be so (what appears) to be judgemental based on someones line of work, no matter what it is!
Return to Top

Page 1 of 3

1

Previous Thread

Previous Thread

View All Threads

Next Thread

Hop To

Moderator: Andy_Z, JacF, John Burnett, QCL, SMQ, CRCM, Truffle Royale