Let C be the percentage change. <span>C = 100*(308.7 million - 281.4 million)/(281.4 million) = 9.7%. This is positive, so the population grew. </span> <span>- - - - - - - - - - - - - </span>
This states that 26 is greater than -9. Look at the > sign like it's an alligator's mouth - the alligator wants to eat the bigger side, and 26 is clearly bigger than -9, so the alligator wants to eat 26!