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 = 949.8.
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: - 100.
- Choose a random positive number for the end value: 40.
Formula and calculation:
(v1 - v2) / v1 =
(- 100 - 40) / - 100 =
-140 / - 100 =
1.4
Although the absolute difference is negative: -140, the relative decrease change is positive: 1.4. 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 - 949.8)/|700| =
- 249.8/700 =
- 249.8 ÷ 700 =
- 249.8 ÷ 700 × 100/100 =
(- 249.8 × 100 ÷ 700)/100 =
(- 24,980 ÷ 700)/100 ≈
- 35.685714285714/100 =
- 35.685714285714% ≈
- 35.69%
(Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places)
The relative percent decrease change
from the original, initial value 700 to the final, end value 949.8:
Rounded off to max. 12 decimal places ≈ - 35.685714285714%
Rounded off to max. 2 decimal places ≈ - 35.69%
The absolute (actual) difference
700 - 949.8 = - 249.8
By what percentage has 700 decreased?
Answer: By ≈ - 35.69%
By what percentage is 949.8 smaller than 700?
Answer: By ≈ - 35.69%
The relative percent decrease change is negative,
so in this case we really have a relative percent increase instead
(the value goes up).