Jokes in the Mathematics Department

Photo: Claudio Fuentes Madan

This comes to me via .cu. In addition to being funny, I think it’s an example of what happens when, at the University of Havana, subjects like the Reflections of Compañero Fidel go hand in hand with the specialty.

Story:

Last week I bought a product that cost $158. I gave the cashier $200 and looked in my pocket for $8 to avoid receiving more change. The cashier took the money and looked at the cash register, apparently without knowing what to do. I tried to explain that she had to give me $50 change, but she wasn’t convinced and called the manager for help. She had tears in her eyes while trying to explain it to the manager and she apparently still did not understand.

Why am I telling you this?

Because I noticed the evolution of mathematics teaching since 1950, which was as follows:

1. Teaching Math in 1950:
A cutter of firewood sells a cart of firewood for $100.00. The production cost of the firewood equals 4/5 of the price of the sale. What is the profit ?

2. Teaching Math in 1970:
A cutter of firewood sells a cart of firewood for $100.00. The production cost of the firewood equals 80% of the price of the sale. What is the profit ?

3. Teaching Math in 1980:
A cutter of firewood sells a cart of firewood for $100.00. The production cost of the firewood $80.00. What is the profit ?

4. Teaching Math in 1990:
A cutter of firewood sells a cart of firewood for $100.00. The production cost of the firewood $80.00. Choose the correct answer, that shows the profit.
() $ 20.00 () $ 40.00 () $ 60.00 () $ 80.00 () $ 100.00

5. Teaching Math in 2000:
A cutter of firewood sells a cart of firewood for $100.00. The production cost of the firewood $80.00. The profit is $20. Is that correct?
() Yes () No

6. Teaching Math in 2008:
A cutter of firewood sells a cart of firewood for $100.00. The production cost of the firewood $80.00. If you can read, put an X in front of $20.00.
() $ 20.00 () $ 40.00 () $ 60.00 () $ 80.00 () $ 100.00

And this IS NOT A STORY.