Pure vs. Applied Math
The same weighted-average formula baffles a student in abstract form but becomes instantly (and strategically) useful as a grading policy.
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Cartoon by Ben Orlin, Math with Bad Drawings. https://cartoons.mathwithbaddrawings.com/2020-02-17-pure-vs-applied-math/ (CC BY-NC 4.0)Transcript
[Pure Math] Board: G = 0.5F + 0.3M + 0.2H. Student: "I'm utterly lost."
[Applied Math] Board: Grade = 50% Final + 30% Midterm + 20% Homework. Student: "Ooh. So I can skip the next four homeworks, as long as I have a good final."