How to Calculate the Difference Between 2 Percentages

"Retailers often refer to price changes with percentages."

The difference between two percentages of a number is related to, though not equal to, the percentage values themselves. Each increase in the figure's percentage value leads to an increase of one hundredth of the original number. The difference between two percentages is therefore proportional both to the difference in the percentage values and to the original number of which the figures are percentages.

Instructions

1. Subtract the final percentage from the first one. If you are finding the difference, for instance, between 135 and 120 percent of number -- 135 - 120 = 15.

2. Multiply this difference by the original number. If you are calculating, for instance, the difference between percentages of 90 -- 15 --- 90 = 1350.

3. Divide this answer by 100 -- 1350 ÷ 100 = 13.5. 135 percent of 90 is 13.5 more than 120 percent of 90.

References

• Virginia University: The Meaning of Percentages
• University of New South Wales: Fractions, Decimals and Percentages

Resources

• Syracuse University: Review of Percents
• Oakland University: Decimals and Percents Assessment