Percent Difference

We can calculate the percent difference by dividing the difference of two values by their average and then multiplying the result by 100. It is an important concept that can be used in mark calculations and other daily life situations where percent difference is involved. The formula that we commonly apply to measure the percent difference:
Percentage difference = \( \bigg |{A-B \over {A+B \over 2}}\bigg | \times 100\)

Here, A and B are the two values we compare to calculate the percent difference.

To calculate the difference between the percent of the two values, we need to use the following step-by-step process:

Step 1: Identify the two values.

Step 2: Subtract the given values to find their absolute difference, for instance: |(a - b)|.

Step 3: To find the average of two given values, add the numbers and divide by 2, i.e. |(a + b)/2|.

Step 4: Next, we divide the difference by the average.

Step 5: The calculated fraction can be multiplied by 100 to simplify the answer.

Let’s take an example:

Percent of Sam: 75% ⇒ A = 75

Percent of Ben: 62% ⇒ B = 62

Calculating absolute difference:  \(|A-B| = |75-62| = 13\)

Calculating average of A and B: \({A+B \over 2} = {75+62 \over 2}\) = 68.5

To find the percent difference, we apply the values into the formula: \( \bigg |{A-B \over {A+B \over 2}}\bigg | \times 100\)

= \( \bigg |{13 \over {68.5}}\bigg | \times 100\)

= \(0.18978 \times 100\)

= 18.98%

The percent difference helps children determine the difference in academic performance based on the percentage scored. We will now discuss a few tips and tricks that make it easier to calculate the percent difference.

• To avoid the calculation error, make sure to calculate the absolute difference between the two different values.
   
• Finding the average is simply adding two numbers and dividing the result by 2.
   
• Always check for any errors when you are rounding the decimal values to ensure accuracy.
   
• Use a calculator when determining the percent difference of larger values.
   
• Applying the concept in real-life situations helps you calculate it quickly.
   

The percent difference has numerous real-life applications. Understanding these helps children apply the concept in real situations. Let’s explore a few:
 

• Percent difference helps students in comparing experimental results not only in math but also in other subjects like physics, biology and chemistry.
   
• They apply the percent difference formula to calculate their academic progress.
   
• It enables students to compare their performance in sports, such as in comparing the speed or score differences.
   
• They also learn how it applies to the medical field, such as comparing blood pressure results.
   
• Moreover, it helps them to compare the price differences when shopping for clothes of their choice.