Formula:
The most common formula for calculating growth rate is:
Growth Rate (%) = ((Final Value - Initial Value) / Initial Value) x 100
Steps:
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Identify the initial value and the final value. The initial value is the starting point of the measurement period, and the final value is the ending point.
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Subtract the initial value from the final value. This will give you the difference between the two values.
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Divide the difference by the initial value. This gives you a decimal representing the relative change between the two values.
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Multiply the result by 100 to express the answer as a percentage.
Example:
Imagine you invest $1,000 and a year later it's worth $1,200.
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Final value (F) = $1,200
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Initial value (I) = $1,000
Growth Rate (%) = ((F - I) / I) x 100
Growth Rate (%) = (($1,200 - $1,000) / $1,000) x 100
Growth Rate (%) = (0.20) x 100
Growth Rate (%) = 20%
Therefore, your investment has grown by 20% in a year.
Things to Consider:
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Time Period: The growth rate calculation depends on the time period you're considering (e.g., daily, monthly, yearly). Ensure you're using consistent timeframes when comparing initial and final values.
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Context: Growth rate can be applied to various scenarios beyond financial investments. You can calculate growth rates for populations, sales figures, or any situation where you're interested in measuring change over time.
I hope this explanation helps!