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 = - 25, v2 = 160.1.
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: - 2.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 35.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 2 - 35) / - 2 =
-37 / - 2 =
18.5
Although the absolute difference is negative: -37, the relative decrease change is positive: 18.5. 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:
(- 25 - 160.1)/|- 25| =
- 185.1/25 =
- 185.1 ÷ 25 =
- 185.1 ÷ 25 × 100/100 =
(- 185.1 × 100 ÷ 25)/100 =
(- 18,510 ÷ 25)/100 =
- 740.4/100 =
- 740.4%
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value - 25 to the final, end value 160.1:
= - 740.4%
The absolute (actual) difference
- 25 - (160.1) = - 25 - 160.1 = - 185.1
By what percentage has - 25 decreased?
Answer: By - 740.4%
By what percentage is 160.1 smaller than - 25?
Answer: By - 740.4%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).