Last week I purchased a burger for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2
and 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? Please read more about the
"history of teaching math":

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: By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the
logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic
for class participation after answering the question: How did the
forest birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down the trees. (There are
no wrong answers.)

Teaching Math In 2005: El hachero vende un camion carga por $100. La
cuesta de production es?

And we wonder why jobs requiring intelligence are being outsourced
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THE UNOFFICIAL IQ TEST

http://www.richstevens.com/flash/iq.swf
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THIRD GRADE GEOGRAPHY TEST

http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf