Percent Change Formula:
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Definition: This calculator determines the percentage increase or decrease between two values.
Purpose: It helps analyze changes in quantities like prices, measurements, or performance metrics over time.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The difference between values is divided by the absolute value of the old value to determine relative change, then converted to a percentage.
Details: Percent change provides a standardized way to compare changes across different scales and units of measurement.
Tips: Enter both old and new values. The calculator handles both increases (positive result) and decreases (negative result).
Q1: Why use absolute value for the denominator?
A: This ensures consistent results whether the old value was positive or negative.
Q2: What does a negative percentage mean?
A: A negative result indicates a decrease from the old value to the new value.
Q3: How do I interpret a 0% change?
A: This means the new value is exactly the same as the old value.
Q4: What if my old value was zero?
A: Percentage change is undefined when dividing by zero. The calculator will not compute in this case.
Q5: Can I use this for percentage difference?
A: No, percentage difference uses the average of the two values as the denominator.