Americans stink at math
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Originally Posted By: bigdreama
This was not intended to be a tipping thread! It was supposed to bring light to the fact that.... oh never mind.
Sometimes I do wonder how people survive with their math skills.
I guess our whole financial system is based on people ignoring how exponential growth actually works... Or why only paying the minimum payment on the credit card is a bad idea...
This was not intended to be a tipping thread! It was supposed to bring light to the fact that.... oh never mind.
Sometimes I do wonder how people survive with their math skills.
I guess our whole financial system is based on people ignoring how exponential growth actually works... Or why only paying the minimum payment on the credit card is a bad idea...
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
This was not intended to be a tipping thread! It was supposed to bring light to the fact that.... oh never mind.
Sometimes I do wonder how people survive with their math skills.
I guess our whole financial system is based on people ignoring how exponential growth actually works... Or why only paying the minimum payment on the credit card is a bad idea...
Exactly.
I think that a "fundamental life skills" class or the equivalent should be a part of the required curriculum for every high school senior in the country.
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
This was not intended to be a tipping thread! It was supposed to bring light to the fact that.... oh never mind.
Sometimes I do wonder how people survive with their math skills.
I guess our whole financial system is based on people ignoring how exponential growth actually works... Or why only paying the minimum payment on the credit card is a bad idea...
Exactly.
I think that a "fundamental life skills" class or the equivalent should be a part of the required curriculum for every high school senior in the country.
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I think Math is a 'Use it or loose it' skill, I know when pocket calculators became popular my math skills went to heck.
But I have seen guys that play Darts how can do basic math in their heads at fantastic speed even tough in other respects, they are not ....Big Thinkers.
But I have seen guys that play Darts how can do basic math in their heads at fantastic speed even tough in other respects, they are not ....Big Thinkers.
Servers demand 20% as a right.
3% over the bill for excellent service is my thinking.
Actually, I am a very good tipper, but hate it - it is so wrong.
3% over the bill for excellent service is my thinking.
Actually, I am a very good tipper, but hate it - it is so wrong.
Originally Posted By: Johnny
Go to a cafe and when you pay the bill ask them to give the correct change back to you without looking at the cash register. Duh?
Or if your bill is lets say $12.58, give them $20.58 and see what happens. No clue.
It is very sad.
Don't blame just America on this one, it is the same in Europe.
I will put that on the fact schools don't force children to do mental math anymore but give them calculators instead.
When I was in primary school, we did math contests (3 at the board, teacher wrote down each one calculation, first one to finish it win). I remember because I was the champion of my class (at least I was good at something).
Later, when I was in College, I couldn't even remember how to write down a division. I was shocked. So I put my calculator in the drawer and started again the process of doing the math myself.
My parents owned a shop. they forced every of their people to know how to give back change without the use of the cash register, me included. During crazy Christmas time it was necessary as the cash register could barely follow the rush.
Go to a cafe and when you pay the bill ask them to give the correct change back to you without looking at the cash register. Duh?
Or if your bill is lets say $12.58, give them $20.58 and see what happens. No clue.
It is very sad.
Don't blame just America on this one, it is the same in Europe.
I will put that on the fact schools don't force children to do mental math anymore but give them calculators instead.
When I was in primary school, we did math contests (3 at the board, teacher wrote down each one calculation, first one to finish it win). I remember because I was the champion of my class (at least I was good at something).
Later, when I was in College, I couldn't even remember how to write down a division. I was shocked. So I put my calculator in the drawer and started again the process of doing the math myself.
My parents owned a shop. they forced every of their people to know how to give back change without the use of the cash register, me included. During crazy Christmas time it was necessary as the cash register could barely follow the rush.
Better yet, give them the exact change. It blows some of their so called minds if I am only buying an item or 2 and hand them the correct change including sales tax as soon as they ring it up.
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
I think that a "fundamental life skills" class or the equivalent should be a part of the required curriculum for every high school senior in the country.
Not at all. This should be taught at home or offered as a class to those that want it but not a requirement. It's not the job of government to educate us. We can't blame anyone but ourselves on this one.
I think that a "fundamental life skills" class or the equivalent should be a part of the required curriculum for every high school senior in the country.
Not at all. This should be taught at home or offered as a class to those that want it but not a requirement. It's not the job of government to educate us. We can't blame anyone but ourselves on this one.
It's in the governments best interest to have an educated populus. How you get there and who pays for it is another discussion entirely.
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Originally Posted By: benjamming
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
I think that a "fundamental life skills" class or the equivalent should be a part of the required curriculum for every high school senior in the country.
Not at all. This should be taught at home or offered as a class to those that want it but not a requirement. It's not the job of government to educate us. We can't blame anyone but ourselves on this one.
I agree. This would also just turn into that "easy A" class every one either sleeps or texts their way through. Those who care or are interested will figure it out on their own because they want to.
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
I think that a "fundamental life skills" class or the equivalent should be a part of the required curriculum for every high school senior in the country.
Not at all. This should be taught at home or offered as a class to those that want it but not a requirement. It's not the job of government to educate us. We can't blame anyone but ourselves on this one.
I agree. This would also just turn into that "easy A" class every one either sleeps or texts their way through. Those who care or are interested will figure it out on their own because they want to.
I've long said that to qualify for a loan, you have to be able to calculate the monthly payment, total of payments and total interest charged or you don't qualify.
The applicant is given the amount financed, the APR and the term financed.
If they can do the math and arrive at the payment, the total of payments and the total interest paid, they qualify for the loan.
If they can't do the math, then they can't have the loan.
The applicant is given the amount financed, the APR and the term financed.
If they can do the math and arrive at the payment, the total of payments and the total interest paid, they qualify for the loan.
If they can't do the math, then they can't have the loan.
That is of course, in addition to being credit worthy. In my world, one would have to prove not only are they credit worthy, but credit smart.
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
It's in the governments best interest to have an educated populus. How you get there and who pays for it is another discussion entirely.
It's in the average citizen's best interest to have an educated populus, and then we should ensure that the government has a curriculum that makes sure we have an educated populus.
It seems to me that alot of elected politicians and big businesses would rather have "dumb" populus as they are easier to predict and control... Which is good for politicians/businesses short term goals but obviously not good for society in the long term.
It's in the governments best interest to have an educated populus. How you get there and who pays for it is another discussion entirely.
It's in the average citizen's best interest to have an educated populus, and then we should ensure that the government has a curriculum that makes sure we have an educated populus.
It seems to me that alot of elected politicians and big businesses would rather have "dumb" populus as they are easier to predict and control... Which is good for politicians/businesses short term goals but obviously not good for society in the long term.
Thats a pretty cynical view. Short term fine, but like you say long term it's in everybodys best interest to have an educated populace.
The fact that we have corrupt "leaders" and short term profit motivated "businessmen" doesn't change the overall dynamic. Do you believe that Thomas Jefferson contemplated that an ignorant populus is desirable? Highly unlikely. But he did contemplate unjust "leaders" who would usurp power back from the populus.
Which came first, the corrupt leadership allowed by an ignorant populus or the ignorant masses?
The fact that we have corrupt "leaders" and short term profit motivated "businessmen" doesn't change the overall dynamic. Do you believe that Thomas Jefferson contemplated that an ignorant populus is desirable? Highly unlikely. But he did contemplate unjust "leaders" who would usurp power back from the populus.
Which came first, the corrupt leadership allowed by an ignorant populus or the ignorant masses?
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
It's in the governments best interest to have an educated populus. How you get there and who pays for it is another discussion entirely.
It's in the government's best interest to have a brainwashed populace.
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
Winston Churchill
It's in the governments best interest to have an educated populus. How you get there and who pays for it is another discussion entirely.
It's in the government's best interest to have a brainwashed populace.
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
Winston Churchill
My math skills are great. Print more money, it's worth less.
or
Live on less than you make.
or
Live on less than you make.
No, it's in a corrupt governments best interest to have an ignorant populus. It isn't and never has been in a properly run Republic.
An educated and well informed electorate is crucial to maintaining a Republic. Because we have allowed the republic to become corrupt only proves the point.
An educated and well informed electorate is crucial to maintaining a Republic. Because we have allowed the republic to become corrupt only proves the point.
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Originally Posted By: expat
I think Math is a 'Use it or loose it' skill, I know when pocket calculators became popular my math skills went to heck.
But I have seen guys that play Darts how can do basic math in their heads at fantastic speed even tough in other respects, they are not ....Big Thinkers.
I had great long hand skills in fundamental math since calculators were expensive and only sold by TI "back in the day". On one of my reinventions I was in a class with younger people and I could manually beat them at all the problems. I'm pathetic at upper math, but had managed to pattern the chaos in my head to a number of assured given techniques to work. Once the calculators came out, it was obvious that the gross work load could never be accomplished long hand. It also atrophied all of the patterned methods that I had relied on for decades. I used to be able to remember my whole personal phone book based on a formula for each person's phone number. Now there is no way that I can manage that.
I think Math is a 'Use it or loose it' skill, I know when pocket calculators became popular my math skills went to heck.
But I have seen guys that play Darts how can do basic math in their heads at fantastic speed even tough in other respects, they are not ....Big Thinkers.
I had great long hand skills in fundamental math since calculators were expensive and only sold by TI "back in the day". On one of my reinventions I was in a class with younger people and I could manually beat them at all the problems. I'm pathetic at upper math, but had managed to pattern the chaos in my head to a number of assured given techniques to work. Once the calculators came out, it was obvious that the gross work load could never be accomplished long hand. It also atrophied all of the patterned methods that I had relied on for decades. I used to be able to remember my whole personal phone book based on a formula for each person's phone number. Now there is no way that I can manage that.
I didn't leave a tip when the "busboy," filling the water glasses of the customers seated around me, dipped the water pitcher so low, its lip went into each customers' glass. Fortunately, I noticed before he filled mine. My mind calculated that I didn't want the multiplicity of germs from my fellow man.
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