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 = 183, v2 = 175.9.
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: - 63.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 19.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 63 - 19) / - 63 =
-82 / - 63 ≈
1.301587301587 ≈
1.3
Although the absolute difference is negative: -82, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.3. 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:
(183 - 175.9)/|183| =
7.1/183 =
7.1 ÷ 183 =
7.1 ÷ 183 × 100/100 =
(7.1 × 100 ÷ 183)/100 =
(710 ÷ 183)/100 =
3.879781420765/100 =
3.879781420765% ≈
3.88%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 183 to the final, end value 175.9:
Not rounded = 3.879781420765%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ 3.88%
The absolute (actual) difference
183 - 175.9 = 7.1
By what percentage has 183 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ 3.88%
By what percentage is 175.9 smaller than 183?
Answer: By ≈ 3.88%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).