Question

If enrollment in a class went from 30 people last term to 25 people this term, what is the percent decrease? Round to the nearest percent.

Answer 1

Answer:  17%

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Explanation:

The change in value is 30-25 = 5, so the amount has dropped by 5

Divide this change over the original amount to get 5/30 = 0.1667 approximately. This converts to 16.67% roughly, and that rounds to 17%

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Here's a way to do it using a formula

A = old value = 30

B = new value = 25

C = percent change

C = [ (B-A)/A ] * 100%

C = [ (25-30)/30 ] * 100%

C = -0.1667 * 100%

C = -16.67%

C = -17%

The negative percent change means we have a percent decrease. The class size went down by about 17%.