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, v2 = 702.
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: - 28.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 46.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 28 - 46) / - 28 =
-74 / - 28 ≈
2.642857142857 ≈
2.64
Although the absolute difference is negative: -74, the relative decrease change is positive: 2.64. 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 - 702)/|800| =
98/800 =
98 ÷ 800 =
98 ÷ 800 × 100/100 =
(98 × 100 ÷ 800)/100 =
(9,800 ÷ 800)/100 =
12.25/100 =
12.25%
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 800 to the final, end value 702:
= 12.25%
The absolute (actual) difference
800 - 702 = 98
By what percentage has 800 decreased?
Answer: By 12.25%
By what percentage is 702 smaller than 800?
Answer: By 12.25%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).