1. What is a Percentage Difference Calculator?

Definition: This calculator measures the relative difference between two values as a percentage of their average.

Purpose: It helps compare two values to understand how much they differ relative to their average size.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( A \) — First value
• \( B \) — Second value
• The vertical bars | | indicate absolute value (always positive)

Explanation: The difference between the values is divided by their average, then multiplied by 100 to get a percentage.

3. Importance of Percentage Difference

Details: This calculation is useful in science, finance, and data analysis to compare measurements, prices, or any quantitative values.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any two numerical values. The calculator will show how much they differ as a percentage of their average.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is this different from percentage change?
A: Percentage change compares a new value to an old one, while percentage difference compares any two values without reference to time.

Q2: Can I compare negative numbers?
A: Yes, the calculator works with negative values, but be mindful of interpretation.

Q3: What does a 0% result mean?
A: It means the two values are identical (no difference).

Q4: When is this calculation most useful?
A: When comparing two parallel measurements (like two lab results) rather than sequential measurements.

Q5: What's the maximum possible percentage difference?
A: When one value is 0 and the other isn't, the difference approaches 200%.