When we talk about percentages, we often hear questions like, “Can you subtract two percentages to find the difference?” The short answer is yes, but there’s more to it than just simple subtraction. Understanding how and when you can subtract percentages is important for school, work, shopping, and even budgeting at home.
This article breaks it down in plain English with easy examples you can follow. We’ll also share a helpful tool called a percentage calculator that can make your life easier whenever you’re dealing with percentages.
What Does It Mean to Subtract Percentages?
Subtracting percentages means comparing two percentage values to see the gap or difference between them.
For example, if one product is 70% off and another is 50% off, how much more are you saving with the 70% discount?
You simply subtract:
70% – 50% = 20%
So, the first product gives you 20% more savings than the second one.
This method works when both percentages are part of the same whole or relate to the same item or amount. If they’re not related, subtracting may not give you a meaningful answer.
Easy Example: Test Scores
Let’s say Sarah got 85% on her math test, and her friend John got 75%.
What’s the difference in their scores?
85% – 75% = 10%
Sarah scored 10% higher than John.
This works because both scores are out of 100%, making them comparable.
If you’re ever unsure, you can try a simple percentage calculator to double-check your math.
But Be Careful: Not All Percentages Can Be Subtracted
You can’t always subtract percentages if they are from different bases.
For example:
- 30% of $200 = $60
- 20% of $500 = $100
If you try to subtract the percentages:
30% – 20% = 10%, but the actual dollar difference is $60 – $100 = –$40
Here, subtracting the percentages doesn’t help, because the original amounts are different. So always check that the two percentages come from the same total before subtracting.
Need a hand checking your numbers? Use this handy percentage difference calculator to save time and reduce errors.
Subtracting Percentages in Real Life
Let’s say you’re comparing job offers:
- Job A gives you a 10% annual bonus.
- Job B offers a 5% annual bonus.
The difference is:
10% – 5% = 5%
So, Job A offers 5% more in bonuses than Job B, assuming both jobs offer the same salary. If the salaries are different, you’ll need to calculate the actual bonus amounts first before comparing.
Want a quick way to figure this out? You can try percentage calculator and enter the numbers to get the difference in seconds.
What About Percentage Change?
Sometimes, you don’t just want the difference—you want to know how much something increased or decreased by. That’s when you use percentage change.
Let’s look at an example:
- A phone that used to cost $400 now costs $300.
What is the percentage decrease?
Formula:
[(Old Price – New Price) ÷ Old Price] × 100
Example:
[(400 – 300) ÷ 400] × 100 = (100 ÷ 400) × 100 = 25%
So, the price decreased by 25%.
To make these types of calculations easier, you can use an online percentage calculator that does all the steps for you.
Key Takeaways
- You can subtract two percentages if they relate to the same whole or are based on the same value.
- Don’t subtract percentages if they come from different bases (like different prices or totals).
- Use tools like a calculating percentage change to make your work easier and more accurate.
- Percentages are helpful in everyday life—from grades to shopping to comparing job benefits.
FAQs
1. Can I subtract percentages when comparing discounts from different stores?
Yes, but only if the original prices are the same. Otherwise, compare the actual discount amounts in dollars.
2. Why is it wrong to subtract percentages with different totals?
Because percentages are based on a total. If the totals differ, then 10% of one amount isn’t equal to 10% of another.
3. Is there a tool that helps me calculate these differences easily?
Yes! Use a free percentage calculator to calculate differences, increases, decreases, and changes in seconds.