The amount of increase or decrease in a quantity expressed as a percentage of the original value. It is calculated by finding the difference between new and old values, dividing by the old value, and multiplying by 100.
From Latin 'per centum' meaning 'by the hundred' combined with Old French 'changier' meaning 'to exchange.' The mathematical concept emerged in the 17th century as commerce expanded and standardized ways to express proportional changes became essential.
Percentage change is the mathematical language of growth and decay that governs everything from population dynamics to compound interest! It's fascinating that this simple formula captures the essence of exponential processes in nature, from bacterial growth to radioactive decay.
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