Need help with math problem

[ru4liberty]

Don't laugh at us old folk. Our data bases are full, so we can't retain what we don't use like we once could.

My friend and I need some help from some of you mathematically inclined FReepers.

Problem:

Mike's sales goal last year was $90,071. His employer increased it to $124,111 this year. What percentage of increase is this, and how did you arrive at the answer?

Thanking y'all in advance. :)

[cyclotic]

I google percentage calculator and use that.

[Genoa]

Subtract the lower figure from the higher one. Divide the remainder by the lower figure.

[1rudeboy]

Help us.

[KSCITYBOY]

38%

[muir_redwoods]

Take the difference and divide it by the smaller number, the +\-$90k number. The result is a decimal, something like .35 or so. That makes something like a 35% increase

[kingattax]

37.79% increase

[Grampa Dave]

About 37.79%.

[UB355]

124111/90071 would be a 37% increase

[Genoa]

LOL, the teacher in me wouldn’t do it for them.

[Westbrook]

124,111 - 90071 = 34040

34040 / 90071 = 0.377924

0.377924 x 100 = 37.8 %

.. rounded to three significant digits.

[mabarker1]

3.14 are round, cake are square;)

[nuconvert]

Just looking at it, it’s a little over a third - did it in my head

[Genoa]

Use a slide rule if you want a more precise answer. ;-)

[dila813]

http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/algebra/percent-difference-calculator.php

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Divide $90,071 by $124,111 to find out what percent the former goal is of the new goal.

72.57%

Subtract from 100.

Round.

27%

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Bwaaa! I’m getting an increase of 37.79% Don’t ask me how, cuz it’s probably way wrong!

[Genoa]

No, that would have been the percentage if the higher figure had been reduced to the lower one.

[KSCITYBOY]

Now the real answer. That is a significant increase.

There could be a number of reasons, hopefully your friend knows them.

[Alberta's Child]

Don't be confused by the posters who tell you to "divide by the lower number." That's the right answer in this case, but not in every case.

If you're looking for a "percentage change" from Condition A to Condition B, always use Condition A (the starting point) as the denominator in the calculation.

So the answer to your problem is:

% Change = (B-A)/A

Where:
B=124111
A=90071

When you do this calculation, the answer comes out to about 37.8%