1. What is Percentage Difference?

Percentage difference measures the relative difference between two numbers as a percentage of their average. It's useful for comparing two values where neither is clearly a reference or "correct" value.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percentage difference formula:

Where:

• \( n1 \) — First number
• \( n2 \) — Second number
• \( |n1 - n2| \) — Absolute difference between the numbers
• \( (n1 + n2)/2 \) — Average of the two numbers

Explanation: The formula calculates how much two numbers differ relative to their average size.

3. When to Use Percentage Difference

Details: Use percentage difference when comparing two experimental values, two measurements, or any two numbers where you want to express their difference relative to their average.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any two numbers (positive or negative). The calculator will compute the percentage difference between them. Both fields are required.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is percentage difference different from percentage change?
A: Percentage change compares a new value to an old value (reference), while percentage difference compares two equal-status values.

Q2: What does a percentage difference of 0% mean?
A: A 0% difference means the two numbers are identical.

Q3: Can I compare negative numbers?
A: Yes, the calculator works with both positive and negative numbers.

Q4: What's the maximum possible percentage difference?
A: Theoretically unlimited, but when one number approaches zero, the percentage difference approaches 200%.

Q5: When shouldn't I use percentage difference?
A: When one value is clearly a reference or standard value, percentage change is more appropriate.