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 = 800,000, v2 = 39,936.4.
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: - 97.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 38.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 97 - 38) / - 97 =
-135 / - 97 ≈
1.39175257732 ≈
1.39
Although the absolute difference is negative: -135, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.39. 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:
(800,000 - 39,936.4)/|800,000| =
760,063.6/800,000 =
760,063.6 ÷ 800,000 =
760,063.6 ÷ 800,000 × 100/100 =
(760,063.6 × 100 ÷ 800,000)/100 =
(76,006,360 ÷ 800,000)/100 =
95.00795/100 =
95.00795% ≈
95.01%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 800,000 to the final, end value 39,936.4:
Not rounded = 95.00795%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ 95.01%
The absolute (actual) difference
800,000 - 39,936.4 = 760,063.6
By what percentage has 800,000 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ 95.01%
By what percentage is 39,936.4 smaller than 800,000?
Answer: By ≈ 95.01%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).