Question

The number of CDs sold decreased from 147 million in 2009 to 114 million in 2010. Find the relative decrease (percent change).

a) 22.4%
b) 28.6%
c) 33.3%
d) 42.2%

Answer 1

The percent decrease in the number of CDs sold from 2009 to 2010 is calculated by subtracting the final value from the initial value, dividing by the initial value. The correct answer is option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

We are asked to find the relative decrease in the number of CDs sold from 2009 to 2010, which is also known as the percent change. The number of CDs sold decreased from 147 million in 2009 to 114 million in 2010. To calculate the percent decrease, we will follow these steps:

Subtract the final value (number of CDs sold in 2010) from the initial value (number of CDs sold in 2009): 147 million - 114 million = 33 million. Divide the decrease by the initial value: 33 million ÷ 147 million = 0.224.

Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage: 0.224 × 100 = 22.4%. The percent decrease in the number of CDs sold from 2009 to 2010 is 22.4%, which corresponds to option (a).