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 = 87.6.
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: - 53.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 82.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 53 - 82) / - 53 =
-135 / - 53 ≈
2.547169811321 ≈
2.55
Although the absolute difference is negative: -135, the relative decrease change is positive: 2.55. 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 - 87.6)/|67| =
- 20.6/67 =
- 20.6 ÷ 67 =
- 20.6 ÷ 67 × 100/100 =
(- 20.6 × 100 ÷ 67)/100 =
(- 2,060 ÷ 67)/100 ≈
- 30.746268656716/100 =
- 30.746268656716% ≈
- 30.75%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 67 to the final, end value 87.6:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 30.746268656716%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 30.75%
The absolute (actual) difference
67 - 87.6 = - 20.6
By what percentage has 67 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 30.75%
By what percentage is 87.6 smaller than 67?
Answer: By ≈ - 30.75%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).