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 = 350, v2 = 73.5.
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: - 94.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 23.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 94 - 23) / - 94 =
-117 / - 94 ≈
1.244680851064 ≈
1.24
Although the absolute difference is negative: -117, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.24. 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:
(350 - 73.5)/|350| =
276.5/350 =
276.5 ÷ 350 =
276.5 ÷ 350 × 100/100 =
(276.5 × 100 ÷ 350)/100 =
(27,650 ÷ 350)/100 =
79/100 =
79%
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 350 to the final, end value 73.5:
= 79%
The absolute (actual) difference
350 - 73.5 = 276.5
By what percentage has 350 decreased?
Answer: By 79%
By what percentage is 73.5 smaller than 350?
Answer: By 79%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).