Calculating percentage increase and decrease

How do you calculate a percentage increase or decrease for one of your holdings (without using portfolio software you cheaters)? For some reason, I always have to look this one up. Apparently grade school math can fade a bit over time.

Something else that changes over time – the teachers get cuter. I dated a teacher recently and it was pretty strange to think about. Lecherous old man-dom here I come.

OK, back to the task at hand.

Let's use the example of needing to calculate the percentage increase of 11 to 21.

1. The first step is to find the difference between the two numbers: 21 – 11 = 10
2. Take the result of that and divide it by the original number: 10 / 11 = .90909091
3. Multiply this last number by 100. Voila! Your increase from 11 to 21 is 91%!

17 Responses to “Calculating percentage increase and decrease”


  1. 1 John June 23, 2006 at 2:39 pm

    Thank you, your formula came in handy to calculate a percentage of increase in physical training from one period to another.
    This is one of those things I know I learned in school before, but just haven’t used it. I did a search on the internet for “calculate percentage increase” and found your information! Thanks for posting it.
    -John

  2. 2 Jugalug May 24, 2007 at 1:38 pm

    Yeah thanks, I’ve been revising, and realised I didn’t know how to do this, so this has been useful.

  3. 3 Sam Ehigie November 20, 2007 at 2:32 am

    I found the formula so simple and easy to apply. I needed to find out the percentage increase on my import and regularize some documentation with my bank when I browse through the net I found your formula readily available to apply.With much thanks.

  4. 4 Vadim January 11, 2008 at 3:40 am

    For calculating the yearly report this came in very handy indeed! Now all I need to do is meet the targets! Do you have a formula for those?

  5. 5 Tim Flood January 30, 2008 at 11:29 am

    Thank you for the formula! I calculated the percentage decrease of the retail price vs. the resale price of two models of guitars that I am comparing.

  6. 6 Sam February 23, 2008 at 5:47 am

    There is another way that I think is quicker. Simply divide 21 by 11 minus 1 and times by 100.

  7. 7 Andy March 9, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Legend mate really helpful for my work, im still in college and i forgotton maths already

  8. 8 tinuade April 23, 2008 at 11:22 am

    same here,its so useful,wanted to calculate % increase between two financial periods and i found it so hard to remember bt dis helped to refresh my memory

  9. 9 larrye May 13, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    Need help, I’m trying to find out the beginining number. I know tha 17% = 2.5 million What is the Original Number?

  10. 10 larrye May 13, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    Need help, I’m trying to find out the beginining number. I know that 17% = 2.5 million What is the Original Number?

  11. 11 larrye May 13, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    175 is 2.5 million What is the original number

  12. 12 hinfas July 30, 2008 at 11:06 pm

    thanks larry, just what i was looking for!

  13. 13 kas August 27, 2008 at 2:48 am

    ah! yeah thanks alot for this. It has really helped me remember how to do this.:)

    its helpful! :)

  14. 14 Tina September 3, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Very helpful. Amazing how difficult it is to remember calculations for percentages of any kind! I always get them mixed up. I will save these instructions in my file.

  15. 15 madison September 24, 2008 at 11:26 pm

    this helped alot Im in 7th grade and I was loking all over the internet for this! thanks(: (: (: (: (:

  16. 16 High on the Pineapple Express March 12, 2009 at 12:11 am

    Hey! When I was 50 years old, i was in an abusive relationship with my 27 year old dad. He was SOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT! I luv him and hate him… wat are you looking at… u think I’m fat? I HALVE you! LICK ME!!!!!!!!!!!! I love cats and dinosaurs. I have a pet snake down my pants HA HA HA ouch! It bit me. DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A GAME?!?!?!? I luv games. See ya later


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