Absolute Change: Actual increase or decrease from a reference value to a new value

–Uses units (people per year)

Relative Change: Percent that describes the size of the absolute change in comparison to the reference value.

–Difference between percentage points (a measure of absolute change) and percentage.

Practice Problems:

In 2008, there were 400 people who played hockey in Durango. In 2010, there were 439 people who played hockey in Durango. Find the absolute and relative change.
On their first test, the class scored 68% average. On their second test, the class scored 78% average. Find the absolute and relative change.
Between 2000 and 2010 the population in Las Vegas increased from 478,000 to 565,000. Over the same decade, the population in Dallas increased from 1, 189,000 to 1, 245,000. Which city increased more in absolute terms? Which city increased more in relative terms?
The percentage of Republicans in the House of Representatives decreased from 53.5% in 2007 to 46.4% in 2009. Find the absolute and relative change.