Up, Down, and All Around: Mastering the Percentage Change Between Two Numbers

Ever wondered if that investment actually *grew* like you thought? Or precisely how much your website traffic increased last month? Understanding percentage change is key! It's a simple but powerful tool for comparing values and spotting trends.

So, how do you calculate it? The formula is straightforward:

**Percentage Change = [(New Value - Old Value) / Old Value] * 100**

Let's break it down. Say your company's revenue went from $100,000 (Old Value) to $120,000 (New Value). Applying the formula: [($120,000 - $100,000) / $100,000] * 100 = 20%. That's a healthy 20% growth!

A negative result simply indicates a decrease. If revenue dropped to $80,000, the percentage change would be -20%.

Percentage change is invaluable for analyzing financial performance, tracking sales figures, measuring marketing campaign effectiveness, and so much more. Master this skill, and you'll gain a clearer understanding of the world around you!