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 = 4.5975, v2 = 4.6268.
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: - 24.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 78.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 24 - 78) / - 24 =
-102 / - 24 =
4.25
Although the absolute difference is negative: -102, the relative decrease change is positive: 4.25. 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:
(4.5975 - 4.6268)/|4.5975| =
- 0.0293/4.5975 =
- 0.0293 ÷ 4.5975 =
- 0.0293 ÷ 4.5975 × 100/100 =
(- 0.0293 × 100 ÷ 4.5975)/100 =
(- 2.93 ÷ 4.5975)/100 =
- 0.637302882001/100 =
- 0.637302882001% ≈
- 0.64%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 4.5975 to the final, end value 4.6268:
Not rounded = - 0.637302882001%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 0.64%
The absolute (actual) difference
4.5975 - 4.6268 = - 0.0293 ≈ - 0.03
By what percentage has 4.5975 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 0.64%
By what percentage is 4.6268 smaller than 4.5975?
Answer: By ≈ - 0.64%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).