Question

what is the percent of change from 40 to 38? 2% decrease 5% decrease 2% increase 5% increase submit

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the change amount

The original value is 40, the new value is 38. The change amount is \( 40 - 38 = 2 \). Since the new value is less than the original, it's a decrease.

Step2: Calculate the percent change

The formula for percent change is \( \frac{\text{Change Amount}}{\text{Original Amount}} \times 100\% \). Substituting the values, we get \( \frac{2}{40} \times 100\% = 5\% \)? Wait, no, wait: \( \frac{2}{40}=0.05 \), times 100% is 5%? Wait, no, wait, 40 to 38: change is 2, original is 40. So \( \frac{2}{40} \times 100\% = 5\% \)? Wait, no, wait, 2 divided by 40 is 0.05, which is 5%? Wait, but wait, 40 0.05 = 2, so 40 - 2 = 38. Wait, but the first option is 2% decrease. Wait, I must have made a mistake. Wait, 40 to 38: the change is 2. The percent change is (2/40)100% = 5%? Wait, no, 2 divided by 40 is 0.05, which is 5%? Wait, but let's recalculate: 40 0.02 = 0.8, 40 - 0.8 = 39.2, not 38. 40 0.05 = 2, 40 - 2 = 38. Oh! So it's a 5% decrease? Wait, but the first option is 2% decrease. Wait, no, wait, my mistake: 40 to 38: the difference is 2. The percent decrease is (2/40)100% = 5%? Wait, 2 divided by 40 is 0.05, which is 5%. So the correct answer is 5% decrease? Wait, but let's check again. Percent change formula: \( \text{Percent Change} = \frac{\text{New Value} - \text{Original Value}}{\text{Original Value}} \times 100\% \). So (38 - 40)/40 100% = (-2/40)100% = -5%. The negative sign indicates a decrease, so it's a 5% decrease. Wait, but the first option is 2% decrease. Wait, maybe I miscalculated. Wait, 40 to 38: 40 - 38 = 2. 2/40 = 0.05, which is 5%. So the correct answer is 5% decrease. Wait, but the options are 2% decrease, 5% decrease, 2% increase, 5% increase. So the correct one is 5% decrease? Wait, no, wait, 40 0.05 = 2, 40 - 2 = 38. Yes. So the percent change is 5% decrease.

Answer:

5% decrease (the option with "5% decrease" text)