1. What is Growth/Decay Percentage?

The growth/decay percentage calculates the constant rate at which a quantity increases (growth) or decreases (decay) over time. It's commonly used in finance, biology, physics, and economics to measure compound changes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{new} \) — Current or final value
• \( \text{old} \) — Original or initial value
• \( t \) — Time period (in consistent units)
• \( \text{percentage} \) — Growth rate (if positive) or decay rate (if negative)

Explanation: The formula calculates the constant rate that would transform the old value into the new value over the given time period.

3. Importance of Growth Rate Calculation

Details: Understanding growth/decay rates helps in predicting future values, analyzing trends, and making informed decisions in investments, population studies, and scientific research.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the initial value (old), current value (new), and time period. All values must be valid (old ≠ 0, time > 0). The result shows the compound growth/decay rate per time period.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between simple and compound growth rate?
A: Simple growth rate is linear, while compound growth rate accounts for growth on growth (exponential).

Q2: How do I interpret negative results?
A: Negative results indicate decay (reduction) rather than growth.

Q3: What time units should I use?
A: Use consistent units (years, months, days). The result will be per the same unit.

Q4: Can this be used for financial calculations?
A: Yes, it's commonly used to calculate compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for investments.

Q5: How does this relate to exponential functions?
A: The formula derives from the exponential growth model: new = old × (1 + r)^t, solved for r.