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 = 414, v2 = 475.9.
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: - 70.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 25.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 70 - 25) / - 70 =
-95 / - 70 ≈
1.357142857143 ≈
1.36
Although the absolute difference is negative: -95, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.36. 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:
(414 - 475.9)/|414| =
- 61.9/414 =
- 61.9 ÷ 414 =
- 61.9 ÷ 414 × 100/100 =
(- 61.9 × 100 ÷ 414)/100 =
(- 6,190 ÷ 414)/100 =
- 14.951690821256/100 =
- 14.951690821256% ≈
- 14.95%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 414 to the final, end value 475.9:
Not rounded = - 14.951690821256%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 14.95%
The absolute (actual) difference
414 - 475.9 = - 61.9
By what percentage has 414 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 14.95%
By what percentage is 475.9 smaller than 414?
Answer: By ≈ - 14.95%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).