# 8th Grade Education in 1895

At the turn of the 19th century, many Americans had "only" an 8th grade education. Could you have passed 8th grade arithmetic in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam in mathematics from 1895 in Salina, Kansas. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

At this time, school mathematics throughout the U.S. was devoted to commercial interests. In Kansas, these commercial interests certainly would have included agriculture.

Arithmetic (Time, 1.25 hours)

1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50 cts/bushel, deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at$50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals? 5. Find the cost of 6720 lbs. coal at$6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent. 7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at$20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent. 9. What is the cost of a square farm at$15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

"8th Grade Education in 1895," Loci (February 2006)