Lesson 5 Homework Practice Percent of Change Answer Key and Solutions

First, identify the initial and final values. Subtract the starting number from the ending number to find the difference. This value represents the magnitude of the increase or decrease.

Next, divide the difference by the starting value. This step converts the result into a fraction that reflects the proportion of the change relative to the initial number.

Finally, multiply the fraction by 100 to express the result as a percentage. This makes it easier to interpret the size of the change. For instance, if an amount increases from $20 to $25, the result is a 25% increase.

For a decrease, follow the same process. If the final number is lower than the initial number, the percentage will be negative, indicating a reduction. Always double-check your math to ensure accuracy.