Question

What single decimal multiplier would you use to decrease by 1% followed by a 4% increase?

Answer 1

The single decimal multiplier is 1.0296.

Explanation:

Multipliers:

For a decrease of a%, we multiply by:
`(100-a)/(100)`

For a increase of a%, we multiply by:
`(100+a)/(100)`

For consecutive changes, we multiply the multipliers.

Decrease of 1%

Multiplication by
`(100-1)/(100) = (99)/(100) = 0.99`

Increase of 4%

Multiplication by
`(100+4)/(100) = (104)/(100) = 1.04`

Consecutive:

0.99*1.04 = 1.0296

The single decimal multiplier is 1.0296.