The relative decrease change. Definition:
The relative decrease change is the difference in an indicator over two periods in time, v1 - v2, relative to the value of the indicator in the earlier period, v1.
- Where:
- v1 - is called the reference value (original, initial number);
- v2 - is called the new value (the end value).
- In our case: v1 = - 10,000, v2 = - 4,975.4.
The relative decrease change. Formula:
The relative decrease change =
The actual change / |v1|
(v1 - v2) / |v1| =
- Legend:
- v1 - the original number
- |v1| - the positive value of v1, |v1| >= 0. By example: |10| = 10; |-10| = 10.
- v2 - the new value
- The actual change = v1 - v2
- / - the fraction bar (division)
Why do we use |v1| in the formula instead of v1?
- Let's see what happens if we use v1 instead of |v1|:
- Choose a random negative number as the initial value: - 65.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 86.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 65 - 86) / - 65 =
-151 / - 65 ≈
2.323076923077 ≈
2.32
Although the absolute difference is negative: -151, the relative decrease change is positive: 2.32. By using |v1| instead of v1, the error is corrected.
The relative percent decrease change. Detailed calculations below
By multiplying a number by the fraction 100/100,
we change only the form of the result, not the result.
- 100/100 = 100% = 100 ÷ 100 = 1.
- n × 100/100 = (n × 100)/100 = (n × 100)%, any number.
The relative percent decrease change. Formula:
The relative percent decrease change =
The relative decrease change × 100/100 =
(The relative decrease change × 100)/100 =
(The relative decrease change × 100)%
Calculate the relative percent decrease change:
(- 10,000 - (- 4,975.4))/|- 10,000| =
(- 10,000 + 4,975.4)/|- 10,000| =
- 5,024.6/10,000 =
- 5,024.6 ÷ 10,000 =
- 5,024.6 ÷ 10,000 × 100/100 =
(- 5,024.6 × 100 ÷ 10,000)/100 =
(- 502,460 ÷ 10,000)/100 =
- 50.246/100 =
- 50.246% ≈
- 50.25%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value - 10,000 to the final, end value - 4,975.4:
Not rounded = - 50.246%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 50.25%
The absolute (actual) difference
- 10,000 - (- 4,975.4) = - 10,000 + 4,975.4 = - 5,024.6
By what percentage has - 10,000 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 50.25%
By what percentage is - 4,975.4 smaller than - 10,000?
Answer: By ≈ - 50.25%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).