To calculate percentage change, you need to determine how much a value has changed in relation to its original value. The formula for percentage change is:
Percentage Change = \(\frac{\text{Change in } x}{\text{Original Value of } x}\)
Here, the "Change in x" can be calculated as the new value minus the original value. For example, if last year's sales revenue was $550,000 and this year's sales revenue increased to $800,000, you can find the percentage change as follows:
1. Calculate the change in sales revenue:
Change in Sales Revenue = New Value - Original Value
Change in Sales Revenue = 800,000 - 550,000 = 250,000
2. Now, apply the percentage change formula:
Percentage Change = \(\frac{250,000}{550,000}\)
3. This results in:
Percentage Change = 0.4545
4. To convert this decimal into a percentage, move the decimal point two places to the right:
Percentage Change = 45.45\%
This means that the sales revenue increased by 45.45% from last year to this year. Understanding how to calculate percentage change is essential for analyzing growth or decline in various contexts, such as sales, population, or any measurable quantity.