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 = 544, v2 = 1,012.
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: - 15.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 2.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 15 - 2) / - 15 =
-17 / - 15 ≈
1.133333333333 ≈
1.13
Although the absolute difference is negative: -17, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.13. 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:
(544 - 1,012)/|544| =
- 468/544 =
- 468 ÷ 544 =
- 468 ÷ 544 × 100/100 =
(- 468 × 100 ÷ 544)/100 =
(- 46,800 ÷ 544)/100 ≈
- 86.029411764706/100 =
- 86.029411764706% ≈
- 86.03%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 544 to the final, end value 1,012:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 86.029411764706%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 86.03%
The absolute (actual) difference
544 - 1,012 = - 468
By what percentage has 544 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 86.03%
By what percentage is 1,012 smaller than 544?
Answer: By ≈ - 86.03%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).