Remeber the SAT's....To some of us it seems like yesterday.....

SAT score decay

As we all know SAT scores have been on the decline for years.
The following may be the reason why.

A math problem in the 60's
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is four-fifths of this
price. What is his profit?

A math problem in the 70's
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is four-fifths of this
price, or $80. What is his profit?

A math problem in the 70's using New Math
A logger exchanges a set L of lumber for a set M of money.
The cardinality of set M is 100,
and each element is worth $1. Make 100 dots representing
the elements of set M. The set C of
the cost of production contains 20 fewer points than set M,
and answer the following question:
What is the cardinality of the set P of profits?

A math problem in the 80's
A logger sells a truckload of wood for $100. His cost of
production is $80, and his profit is
$20. Your assignment: underline the number 20.

A math problem in the 90's under Outcome Based Education.
By cutting down beautiful forest trees, a logger makes $20.
What do you think of this way of living?
(Topic for class participation: How did the forest birds
and squirrels feel?)