SEARCH HOME
 Math Central Quandaries & Queries
 Question from Cathy: I am trying to verify a "percent of difference" as stated on a tax form. I cannot seem to come up with the equation to do so. Here are a few examples on the form: Last year $62.91 this year$66.05 tax difference $3.14 percent difference -5.64% Last year$ 2014.97 this year $1982.93 tax difference$-32.04 percent difference 57.56% Last year $97.66 this year$79.58 tax difference $-18.08 percent difference 32.48% I have tried several different ways and per some of Q&A's already on your site I still have a problem and would appreciate some assistance. Thanks-Cathy Hi Cathy, Percentages are strange creatures, we are all sloppy in the way we use the term. When we say percentage we should say "percentage of what". I don't have a copy of the US income tax form but from the numbers you sent I can tell you$3.14 is -5.64 % of -$55.66 -$32.04 is 57.56% of -$55.66 -$18.08 is 32.48% of -\$55.66

Does this help?

Harley

Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.