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 = - 0.1, v2 = 22.8.
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: - 28.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 64.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 28 - 64) / - 28 =
-92 / - 28 ≈
3.285714285714 ≈
3.29
Although the absolute difference is negative: -92, the relative decrease change is positive: 3.29. 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:
(- 0.1 - 22.8)/|- 0.1| =
- 22.9/0.1 =
- 22.9 ÷ 0.1 =
- 22.9 ÷ 0.1 × 100/100 =
(- 22.9 × 100 ÷ 0.1)/100 =
(- 2,290 ÷ 0.1)/100 =
- 22,900/100 =
- 22,900%
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value - 0.1 to the final, end value 22.8:
= - 22,900%
The absolute (actual) difference
- 0.1 - (22.8) = - 0.1 - 22.8 = - 22.9
By what percentage has - 0.1 decreased?
Answer: By - 22,900%
By what percentage is 22.8 smaller than - 0.1?
Answer: By - 22,900%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).