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 = 2,500, v2 = 186.3.
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: - 28.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 7.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 28 - 7) / - 28 =
-35 / - 28 =
1.25
Although the absolute difference is negative: -35, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.25. 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:
(2,500 - 186.3)/|2,500| =
2,313.7/2,500 =
2,313.7 ÷ 2,500 =
2,313.7 ÷ 2,500 × 100/100 =
(2,313.7 × 100 ÷ 2,500)/100 =
(231,370 ÷ 2,500)/100 =
92.548/100 =
92.548% ≈
92.55%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 2,500 to the final, end value 186.3:
Not rounded = 92.548%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ 92.55%
The absolute (actual) difference
2,500 - 186.3 = 2,313.7
By what percentage has 2,500 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ 92.55%
By what percentage is 186.3 smaller than 2,500?
Answer: By ≈ 92.55%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).