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 = 50,000, v2 = 1,013.4.
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: - 32.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 5.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 32 - 5) / - 32 =
-37 / - 32 =
1.15625 ≈
1.16
Although the absolute difference is negative: -37, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.16. 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:
(50,000 - 1,013.4)/|50,000| =
48,986.6/50,000 =
48,986.6 ÷ 50,000 =
48,986.6 ÷ 50,000 × 100/100 =
(48,986.6 × 100 ÷ 50,000)/100 =
(4,898,660 ÷ 50,000)/100 =
97.9732/100 =
97.9732% ≈
97.97%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 50,000 to the final, end value 1,013.4:
Not rounded = 97.9732%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ 97.97%
The absolute (actual) difference
50,000 - 1,013.4 = 48,986.6
By what percentage has 50,000 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ 97.97%
By what percentage is 1,013.4 smaller than 50,000?
Answer: By ≈ 97.97%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).