CNBC

Blatantly ignoring fractions and measurement, McDonald's has announced that they are increasing the weight of the quarter pounder without changing the name. I first heard about this on The Daily Show (jump to 7:25) but CNBC provides more details:

I have to say, this really bugs me. And, I fully acknowledge that that may make me a curmudgeon. I get WHY they would do this. They are in the business of selling burgers. People want a bigger burger, but McDonald's has already spent millions (probably billions) making "The Quarter Pounder" is a well-known brand name.

But still! We have so much accepted math illiteracy in this country, it kills me when well-know things misuse mathematics. It certainly doesn't help the problem. At least there are some math problems to be had here:

• What fraction should the new "Quarter Pounder" be named?
• How much will the burger weigh after cooking?
• Do you think the whole burger -- bun, cheese, pickles, onions, sauce, etc. -- weighs more or less than a quarter of a pound?

This whole story is ridiculous! I am going to start posting similar examples of these when I come upon them. Does anyone else collect examples like these?