Profit Margin

[c1apton]

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.

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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 2006

Un ranchero vende una carretera de madera para $100. El cuesto de la produccion era $80. Cuantos tortillas se puede comprar

[witeshark]

That says a lot. But wow, to be unable to see that 8 cents were oh nerver mind!

[scrichy84]

What a post, that is so true. I can't beleive she actually cried over 8 cents. Sad thing is, my wife runs a McDonalds and I worked there for years. If she would have just punched 4.08 into her register, it would have told her to give you back 50 cents.

[xsperf]

hahahaha.. lmao, thats good

[doughboyea]

Fuckin A man, fuckin A...

At my job, I must admit, even though I'm an engineering student, sometimes, it takes me a few seconds to recalculate in my head the change when someone gives me a ten on an order of $9.28 then giving me another $0.35 because.... they want to "lighten" thier pockets.

If it takes me longer than 2 seconds to formulate the correct change, they give me an answer which they spent all of 10 minutes thinking about while they were in line... fuckin dushes. And of course they say it with pride, as if they were so smart...

Dough