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 = 7.62, v2 = 26.1.
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: - 47.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 65.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 47 - 65) / - 47 =
-112 / - 47 ≈
2.382978723404 ≈
2.38
Although the absolute difference is negative: -112, the relative decrease change is positive: 2.38. 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:
(7.62 - 26.1)/|7.62| =
- 18.48/7.62 =
- 18.48 ÷ 7.62 =
- 18.48 ÷ 7.62 × 100/100 =
(- 18.48 × 100 ÷ 7.62)/100 =
(- 1,848 ÷ 7.62)/100 =
- 242.51968503937/100 =
- 242.51968503937% ≈
- 242.52%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 7.62 to the final, end value 26.1:
Not rounded = - 242.51968503937%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 242.52%
The absolute (actual) difference
7.62 - 26.1 = - 18.48
By what percentage has 7.62 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 242.52%
By what percentage is 26.1 smaller than 7.62?
Answer: By ≈ - 242.52%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).