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 = 2.46, v2 = 94.3.
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: - 54.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 47.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 54 - 47) / - 54 =
-101 / - 54 ≈
1.87037037037 ≈
1.87
Although the absolute difference is negative: -101, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.87. 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:
(2.46 - 94.3)/|2.46| =
- 91.84/2.46 =
- 91.84 ÷ 2.46 =
- 91.84 ÷ 2.46 × 100/100 =
(- 91.84 × 100 ÷ 2.46)/100 =
(- 9,184 ÷ 2.46)/100 ≈
- 3,733.333333333333/100 =
- 3,733.333333333333% ≈
- 3,733.33%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 2.46 to the final, end value 94.3:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 3,733.333333333333%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 3,733.33%
The absolute (actual) difference
2.46 - 94.3 = - 91.84
By what percentage has 2.46 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 3,733.33%
By what percentage is 94.3 smaller than 2.46?
Answer: By ≈ - 3,733.33%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).