Percentages
Percentage change
Difference over the starting value, scaled to a percentage. The original is always the divisor.
The Formula
% Change = (New - Original) / Original x 100
Difference over the starting value, scaled to a percentage. The original is always the divisor.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vn | New value | number | The value after the change has happened. |
| V0 | Original value | number | The reference point. Cannot be zero, and results read inverted if it is negative. |
| %Delta | Percentage change | percent | Positive for growth, negative for decline. |
What Each Symbol Means
Vnnumber
New value
The value after the change has happened.
V0number
Original value
The reference point. Cannot be zero, and results read inverted if it is negative.
%Deltapercent
Percentage change
Positive for growth, negative for decline.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate percentage change page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Percentage Change, filed under Math. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.