Text & Writing
Words saved
A percentage of the original word count, not of the result. Two rewrites of different lengths cannot be compared on absolute words saved, only on this ratio.
The Formula
reduction = (1 - words after / words before) x 100
A percentage of the original word count, not of the result. Two rewrites of different lengths cannot be compared on absolute words saved, only on this ratio.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| w_in | Words before | count | Word count of the pasted sentence. |
| w_out | Words after | count | Word count of the rewritten sentence. |
| Delta | Reduction | percent | The percentage of words that disappeared. |
What Each Symbol Means
w_incount
Words before
Word count of the pasted sentence.
w_outcount
Words after
Word count of the rewritten sentence.
Deltapercent
Reduction
The percentage of words that disappeared.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to rewrite a sentence 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 Rewrite A Sentence, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.