Math Test
Topic :
Culture - 1960s arithmetic test: a logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is four-fifths of that amount. What is his profit?
- 1970s new-math test: A logger exchanges a set (L) of lumber for a set (M) of money. The cardinality of Set M is 100. The Set C of production costs contains 20 fewer points. What is the cardinality of Set P of profits?
- 1980s dumbed down version: A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost is $80, his profit is $20. Find and circle the number 20.
- 1990s version: An unenlightened logger cuts down a beautiful stand of 100 trees in order to make a $20 profit. Write an essay explaining how you feel about this as a way to make money. Topic for discussion: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel?
Illustration Digest, Readers Digest, January 1996, p. 82.