Formula and interpretation
percentage-point change = new percentage − old percentage.
Percentage points measure the direct gap between rates; relative percent change answers a different question.
Worked check
A rate moving from 40% to 50% rises by 10 percentage points. Its relative percentage increase is 25%, because 10 divided by the original 40 equals 0.25. Use “percentage points” when comparing the direct gap between two percentages.
Rule: percentage-point change = new percentage − old percentage. Percentage points measure the direct gap between rates; relative percent change answers a different question. For a final check, estimate the expected size of the answer before copying it, keep units consistent, and round only the displayed result rather than intermediate values. Re-enter one simple case by hand when possible; a result with the wrong sign or order of magnitude usually points to an input or reference-base mistake.