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 = 81, v2 = 76.5.
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: - 63.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 70.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 63 - 70) / - 63 =
-133 / - 63 ≈
2.111111111111 ≈
2.11
Although the absolute difference is negative: -133, the relative decrease change is positive: 2.11. 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:
(81 - 76.5)/|81| =
4.5/81 =
4.5 ÷ 81 =
4.5 ÷ 81 × 100/100 =
(4.5 × 100 ÷ 81)/100 =
(450 ÷ 81)/100 ≈
5.555555555556/100 =
5.555555555556% ≈
5.56%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 81 to the final, end value 76.5:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ 5.555555555556%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ 5.56%
The absolute (actual) difference
81 - 76.5 = 4.5
By what percentage has 81 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ 5.56%
By what percentage is 76.5 smaller than 81?
Answer: By ≈ 5.56%
The relative percent decrease change is positive,
so we really have a relative percent decrease
(the value goes down).