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 = 1,146, v2 = 1,126.8.
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: - 67.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 53.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 67 - 53) / - 67 =
-120 / - 67 ≈
1.791044776119 ≈
1.79
Although the absolute difference is negative: -120, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.79. 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:
(1,146 - 1,126.8)/|1,146| =
19.2/1,146 =
19.2 ÷ 1,146 =
19.2 ÷ 1,146 × 100/100 =
(19.2 × 100 ÷ 1,146)/100 =
(1,920 ÷ 1,146)/100 =
1.675392670157/100 =
1.675392670157% ≈
1.68%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 1,146 to the final, end value 1,126.8:
Not rounded = 1.675392670157%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ 1.68%
The absolute (actual) difference
1,146 - 1,126.8 = 19.2
By what percentage has 1,146 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ 1.68%
By what percentage is 1,126.8 smaller than 1,146?
Answer: By ≈ 1.68%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).