Reviewed by Yaren Fadiloglulari
How do you calculate the percentage difference between the two numbers?
Answer: The percentage difference between two numbers is calculated by using the absolute difference divided by the average of the numbers, multiplied by 100
The percentage difference between two numbers is a useful way to show how much two values differ in relation to their average. This helps make comparisons meaningful, especially when the numbers are not expressed in the same context or have different scales. It is different from percentage change, which indicates the change from an original value to a new value. Here, the goal is to measure the relative difference between two values, regardless of order.
Methods
Math Tutor Explanation Using the Standard Percentage Difference Formula
This method uses the average of the two numbers as the reference point to express their difference as a percentage.
Step 1: Step 1: Find the absolute difference between the two numbers by subtracting one from the other and taking the absolute value
Step 2: Step 2: Find the average of the two numbers by adding them together and dividing by 2
Math Tutor Explanation Using a Worked Example
Let's find the percentage difference between 60 and 80 as an example.
Step 1: Step 1: Calculate the absolute difference: |80 - 60| = 20
Step 2: Step 2: Calculate the average: (80 + 60) / 2 = 70
Step 1:
Step 2:
Math Tutor suggests: Practice Percentage Calculations
Continue strengthening your understanding of percentages with these related questions focused on calculating percentage values and differences.
FAQ on Calculating Percentage Differences
What is the difference between percentage difference and percentage change?
Percentage difference measures the relative difference between two numbers, while percentage change compares a starting (original) value to a new value.
Should we always use the average in the denominator?
Yes, when calculating percentage difference, use the average of the two numbers in the denominator.
Can percentage difference be negative?
No, because we use the absolute value of the difference, the percentage difference is always positive.
Is it possible to have a percentage difference greater than 100%?
Yes, if the absolute difference is greater than the average of the numbers, the percentage difference will exceed 100%.
Why use percentage difference instead of percentage change?
Percentage difference is useful when neither value is a clear starting or ending point, such as comparing quantities or measurements.
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