← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Happy Hacker
Thread ID: 15012 | Posts: 3 | Started: 2004-09-15
2004-09-15 15:13 | User Profile
I've heard the phrase "new math" a number of times and decided to find out what is is. This should explain it:
The following examples may help to clarify the difference between the new and old math.
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 $80. What is his profit?
1975 (New Math): A logger exchanges a set L of lumber for a set M of money. The cardinality of set M is 100 and each element is worth $1.
(a) make 100 dots representing the elements of the set M (b) The set C representing costs of production contains 20 fewer points than set M. Represent the set C as a subset of the set M. (c) What is the cardinality of the set P of profits?
1990 (Dumbed-down math): A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Underline the number 20.
1997 (Whole Math): By cutting down a forest full of beautiful trees, a logger makes $20.
(a) What do you think of this way of making money? (b) How did the forest birds and squirrels feel? (c) Draw a picture of the forest as you'd like it to look.
--SDSTAFF Ian, SDSTAFF Jill, and SDSTAFF Dex Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
2004-09-15 15:59 | User Profile
The description of 'whole math' is particularly good. :biggrin:
2004-09-15 23:30 | User Profile
You should listen the way that the US government do their math,,,,,,
How many Iraqis civilians did they kill by mistake?,,,,, it is under invertigation.
How many Americans wounded in Iraq?,,,, count each wound and divide by .02.
How many dead Americans in Iraq?,,,,, HUmmmmm still don't know for sure.
But the best one is from the Israelis,,,,,,, How much land will they take before they make peace with the Palestinians? no idea, still stealing land,,, peace? what do you mean peace?.