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 = 434, v2 = 549.
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: - 86.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 1.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 86 - 1) / - 86 =
-87 / - 86 ≈
1.011627906977 ≈
1.01
Although the absolute difference is negative: -87, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.01. 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:
(434 - 549)/|434| =
- 115/434 =
- 115 ÷ 434 =
- 115 ÷ 434 × 100/100 =
(- 115 × 100 ÷ 434)/100 =
(- 11,500 ÷ 434)/100 ≈
- 26.497695852535/100 =
- 26.497695852535% ≈
- 26.5%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 434 to the final, end value 549:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 26.497695852535%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 26.5%
The absolute (actual) difference
434 - 549 = - 115
By what percentage has 434 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 26.5%
By what percentage is 549 smaller than 434?
Answer: By ≈ - 26.5%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).