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 = 67, v2 = 77.9.
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: - 65.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 38.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 65 - 38) / - 65 =
-103 / - 65 ≈
1.584615384615 ≈
1.58
Although the absolute difference is negative: -103, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.58. 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:
(67 - 77.9)/|67| =
- 10.9/67 =
- 10.9 ÷ 67 =
- 10.9 ÷ 67 × 100/100 =
(- 10.9 × 100 ÷ 67)/100 =
(- 1,090 ÷ 67)/100 ≈
- 16.268656716418/100 =
- 16.268656716418% ≈
- 16.27%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 67 to the final, end value 77.9:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 16.268656716418%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 16.27%
The absolute (actual) difference
67 - 77.9 = - 10.9
By what percentage has 67 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 16.27%
By what percentage is 77.9 smaller than 67?
Answer: By ≈ - 16.27%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).