Mathematics, 2011 (or Why Our Children Aren't Learning)

If you've ever wondered why our children are having difficulty learning math, here's what is being taught at the school where I work.

To begin with, we are expected to make every child "college ready".  This means we can no longer teach math vertically.  All math problems must now be taught horizontal and algebraic.

The above is a "simple" math problem, and how it is solved.  117 has to be "de-constructed" into 100 + 10 + 7. 

58 is actually 50 + 8.

You add all the 100s, then all the 10s, then all the 1s.  Since 7 + 8 = 15, that has to be de-constructed into 10 + 5, then you have to re-add the 10s.

It all makes perfect sense, right?

You should see subtraction.

And don't get me started on multiplication and division.

Your Age By Chocolate Math

Don't tell me your age; you'd probably lie anyway, but the Hershey Man will know!

Don't cheat by scrolling down first.


It takes less than a minute.

Work this out as you read.

Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
 
 

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (At least once but less than 10.)

 
 
 
 
 

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold).


 
 
 
 
 
 

3. Add 5


 
 
 
  
 
 
 

4. Multiply it by 50 –


I'll wait while you get the calculator

 
 
 
 
 
 

5. If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1759. If you haven't, add 1758.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born. You should end up with a three digit number.
 
 
  
 
 

The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

 
  
 

The next two numbers are YOUR AGE!


(Oh YES, it is!)
 
 
 
 
  
 

This is the ONLY year (2009) it will ever work, so spread it around while it's still 2009!