The Formula for Percent of Change

Oct 13, 2025 by miodeya.com 12 views

Understanding Percent of Change

Percent of change is a measure of the difference between two values as a percentage of the original value. It's a useful concept in various fields, including mathematics, science, and finance. In this article, we'll explore how to calculate the percent of change in altitude when a weather balloon moves from one height to another.

The Formula for Percent of Change

The formula for percent of change is:

((New Value - Old Value) / Old Value) x 100

Applying the Formula to the Weather Balloon Example

Let's apply the formula to the weather balloon example. The weather balloon moves from 50 ft to 95 ft. We want to find the percent of change in altitude.

Step 1: Identify the Old and New Values

The old value is 50 ft (the initial height of the weather balloon), and the new value is 95 ft (the final height of the weather balloon).

Step 2: Plug in the Values into the Formula

Using the formula, we get:

((95 - 50) / 50) x 100

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

First, subtract 50 from 95:

95 - 50 = 45

Next, divide 45 by 50:

45 / 50 = 0.9

Finally, multiply 0.9 by 100:

0.9 x 100 = 90

Interpreting the Result

The percent of change in altitude is 90%. Since the new value (95 ft) is greater than the old value (50 ft), the percent of change is an increase.

Rounding to the Nearest Tenth

The result is already a whole number, so no rounding is necessary.

Conclusion

In this article, we calculated the percent of change in altitude when a weather balloon moves from 50 ft to 95 ft. We applied the formula for percent of change and interpreted the result as an increase. The final answer is 90%.

Comparison of Answer Choices

Let's compare our answer with the answer choices:

A. 55.9%; decrease B. 90%; increase C. 90%; decrease D. 76.5%

Our answer matches choice B: 90%; increase.

Final Answer

Understanding Percent of Change

Q&A: Percent of Change in Altitude

Q1: What is percent of change?

A1: Percent of change is a measure of the difference between two values as a percentage of the original value.

Q2: How do I calculate the percent of change in altitude?

A2: To calculate the percent of change in altitude, use the formula: ((New Value - Old Value) / Old Value) x 100

Q3: What are the old and new values in the weather balloon example?

A3: The old value is 50 ft (the initial height of the weather balloon), and the new value is 95 ft (the final height of the weather balloon).

Q4: How do I apply the formula to the weather balloon example?

A4: Using the formula, we get: ((95 - 50) / 50) x 100

Q5: What is the result of the calculation?

A5: The result of the calculation is 90%.

Q6: Is the percent of change an increase or decrease?

A6: Since the new value (95 ft) is greater than the old value (50 ft), the percent of change is an increase.

Q7: Why is it important to calculate the percent of change in altitude?

A7: Calculating the percent of change in altitude helps us understand the magnitude of the change in altitude, which is essential in various fields, including meteorology, aviation, and engineering.

Q8: Can I use the percent of change formula for other types of changes?

A8: Yes, the percent of change formula can be used for any type of change, not just altitude. It's a versatile formula that can be applied to various fields and situations.

Q9: How do I round the result to the nearest tenth?

A9: If the result is not a whole number, round it to the nearest tenth. In this case, the result is already a whole number, so no rounding is necessary.

Q10: What is the final answer to the problem?

A10: The final answer is 90%.

Comparison of Answer Choices

Let's compare our answer with the answer choices:

A. 55.9%; decrease B. 90%; increase C. 90%; decrease D. 76.5%

Our answer matches choice B: 90%; increase.

Final Answer

The final answer is B.

Additional Resources

For more information on percent of change, check out the following resources:

Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to calculate the percent of change in altitude when a weather balloon moves from one height to another. We applied the formula for percent of change and interpreted the result as an increase. The final answer is 90%.