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 = 4,768, v2 = 4,905.6.
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: - 88.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 99.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 88 - 99) / - 88 =
-187 / - 88 =
2.125 ≈
2.13
Although the absolute difference is negative: -187, the relative decrease change is positive: 2.13. 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:
(4,768 - 4,905.6)/|4,768| =
- 137.6/4,768 =
- 137.6 ÷ 4,768 =
- 137.6 ÷ 4,768 × 100/100 =
(- 137.6 × 100 ÷ 4,768)/100 =
(- 13,760 ÷ 4,768)/100 ≈
- 2.885906040268/100 =
- 2.885906040268% ≈
- 2.89%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 4,768 to the final, end value 4,905.6:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 2.885906040268%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 2.89%
The absolute (actual) difference
4,768 - 4,905.6 = - 137.6
By what percentage has 4,768 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 2.89%
By what percentage is 4,905.6 smaller than 4,768?
Answer: By ≈ - 2.89%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).