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 = 7.5, v2 = 333.4.
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: - 37.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 7.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 37 - 7) / - 37 =
-44 / - 37 ≈
1.189189189189 ≈
1.19
Although the absolute difference is negative: -44, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.19. 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:
(7.5 - 333.4)/|7.5| =
- 325.9/7.5 =
- 325.9 ÷ 7.5 =
- 325.9 ÷ 7.5 × 100/100 =
(- 325.9 × 100 ÷ 7.5)/100 =
(- 32,590 ÷ 7.5)/100 ≈
- 4,345.333333333333/100 =
- 4,345.333333333333% ≈
- 4,345.33%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 7.5 to the final, end value 333.4:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 4,345.333333333333%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 4,345.33%
The absolute (actual) difference
7.5 - 333.4 = - 325.9
By what percentage has 7.5 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 4,345.33%
By what percentage is 333.4 smaller than 7.5?
Answer: By ≈ - 4,345.33%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).