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 = 2,000, v2 = 117.4.
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: - 35.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 14.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 35 - 14) / - 35 =
-49 / - 35 =
1.4
Although the absolute difference is negative: -49, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.4. 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:
(2,000 - 117.4)/|2,000| =
1,882.6/2,000 =
1,882.6 ÷ 2,000 =
1,882.6 ÷ 2,000 × 100/100 =
(1,882.6 × 100 ÷ 2,000)/100 =
(188,260 ÷ 2,000)/100 =
94.13/100 =
94.13%
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 2,000 to the final, end value 117.4:
= 94.13%
The absolute (actual) difference
2,000 - 117.4 = 1,882.6
By what percentage has 2,000 decreased?
Answer: By 94.13%
By what percentage is 117.4 smaller than 2,000?
Answer: By 94.13%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).