- How do I calculate percentage increase?
- Use the formula ((new − old) ÷ old) × 100. For example, a price going from $80 to $100 is ((100 − 80) ÷ 80) × 100 = 25% increase. Switch to the '% change' mode, enter X = 80 and Y = 100, and the calculator returns '▲ 25% increase'.
- What is the percent change formula?
- Percent change = ((new value − old value) ÷ old value) × 100. A positive result is an increase; a negative result is a decrease. The old value must be non-zero — percent change from 0 is mathematically undefined (infinite).
- How is percentage difference different from percentage change?
- Percentage change compares one value to a fixed baseline (old → new) and is directional. Percentage difference compares two values with no clear baseline and uses their average as the denominator: |a − b| ÷ ((a + b)/2) × 100. This calculator computes percentage change; for a difference, average the two values yourself and use the '% of total' mode.
- Can I calculate a discount or tip percentage?
- Yes. For a 20% discount on a $50 item, use '± %' mode with Y = 50, X = 20, and direction − → result $40 (the discount is $10). For an 18% tip on a $32 check, use '% of value' with X = 18 and Y = 32 → $5.76.
- Why does the calculator show '—' for percent change from zero?
- Percent change divides by the starting value, so starting from 0 means dividing by 0, which is undefined (approaches infinity). Rather than displaying 'Infinity', the calculator shows '—' with the hint 'Starting value (X) must be non-zero'.