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 = 700, v2 = 806.4.
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: - 76.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 61.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 76 - 61) / - 76 =
-137 / - 76 ≈
1.802631578947 ≈
1.8
Although the absolute difference is negative: -137, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.8. 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:
(700 - 806.4)/|700| =
- 106.4/700 =
- 106.4 ÷ 700 =
- 106.4 ÷ 700 × 100/100 =
(- 106.4 × 100 ÷ 700)/100 =
(- 10,640 ÷ 700)/100 =
- 15.2/100 =
- 15.2%
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 700 to the final, end value 806.4:
= - 15.2%
The absolute (actual) difference
700 - 806.4 = - 106.4
By what percentage has 700 decreased?
Answer: By - 15.2%
By what percentage is 806.4 smaller than 700?
Answer: By - 15.2%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).