The Problem with Math

Okay, I generally despise fowarded emails, but this one--recently brought to my attention--is just too good so I've decided to share it with all of you. I can't believe that I'm making two math-related posts back-to-back like this, especially since I hate math more than I hate forwards. But as I said, this one is simply too good, although that's probably got a lot to do with the fact that I'm a homeschooler.


The Problem With Math

Last week I purchased a burger and fries at McDonalds for $3.58. The counter girl took my $4.00 and 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 ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de laproduccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar

Now I've Seen Everything: Pi Day!

For those of you who don't happen to be pi-obsessed math geeks or happen to be around pi-obsessed math geeks: this news flash is for you. It's Pi Day! Happy Pi Day!!! That's right, today March 14 (3/14 or 3.14) is Pi Day!

I have found some special treats for all you pi loving people (personally hate math.) Check out the following awesomely-pointless pi links:

• Wikipedia Entry (more than you ever wanted to know about the history of Pi Day)
• Pi to one million digits (really useful to memorize)
• Pi Day merchandise (only in America...)
• The Pi Song (very frightening... I'm warning you)

It also happens to be Einstein's birthday today, no joke!

Latest Creation...

All ye worldviews-loving people should get a kick out of this. BEHOLD! My latest Flash creation! A prime example of my weird sense of humor. Actually, credit where credit is due: a friend of mine came up with it. Oh well, I thought of making a fake banner ad for it. As always, click for a larger view.

Jars Concert!

As expected, the Jars of Clay concert was a blast! Of course I had to suffer through two other artists before they came on. Okay, I'm just joking, Derek Webb and Sara Groves weren't that bad. I like Webb's style quite a bit, actually. That's not surprising, though, as he was in Caedmon's Call for so long.

I guess there were only two real disappointments about the show. One, all my pictures turned out really crummy (I've posted some of the less crummy ones.) Two, they didn't play anything from my favorite album: If I Left the Zoo. Oh well, it was still awesome.

They started off with "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love," which, I thought was an odd song to start with as it's the final track of Redemption Songs. When Dan (Dan Haseltine, the lead vocalist for those that don't know) came out I saw right away he'd grown a mustache. For some reason, that really bugged me... the whole night.

They mostly highlighted songs from Redemption Songs and their self-titled album, but they also threw in some from the Eleventh Hour and Who We are Instead.

They're quite a bit different in concert. I guess they'd get bored if they were precisely the same. It was really a great show. They're really good at getting audience participation.

The songs they played are (not in order, can't remember the order):

• They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love
• Show You Love
• Like a Child
• I Need You
• God Will Lift Up Your Head
• Hiding Place/Worlds Apart
• Waiting for the World to Fall
• All My Tears
• It is Well
• Nothin' but the Blood
• Love Song for a Saviour
• There is a River
• Liquid
• I'll Fly Away
• Flood
• God Be Merciful to Me

After the show they signed autographs. I got a poster and my favorite album signed. I think I may scan those in once I can get the scanner working. Of course none of the signatures are readable...