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 = 2.29, v2 = 9.5.
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: - 92.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 42.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 92 - 42) / - 92 =
-134 / - 92 ≈
1.45652173913 ≈
1.46
Although the absolute difference is negative: -134, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.46. 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:
(2.29 - 9.5)/|2.29| =
- 7.21/2.29 =
- 7.21 ÷ 2.29 =
- 7.21 ÷ 2.29 × 100/100 =
(- 7.21 × 100 ÷ 2.29)/100 =
(- 721 ÷ 2.29)/100 ≈
- 314.847161572052/100 =
- 314.847161572052% ≈
- 314.85%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 2.29 to the final, end value 9.5:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 314.847161572052%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 314.85%
The absolute (actual) difference
2.29 - 9.5 = - 7.21
By what percentage has 2.29 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 314.85%
By what percentage is 9.5 smaller than 2.29?
Answer: By ≈ - 314.85%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).