I am trying to calculate the percentage difference between two numbers (which is fairly simple). But I am a bit stuck on calculating the difference when one of the numbers has a starting point as a minus.

 

The example would be if there was a negative growth number in say 2005 of -5% and then in 2006 the number bounced back and was +5%. To calculate the difference I am currently dividing 2006/2005 which works fine when both numbers are positive... but when one number is negative I don't get the correct result.

 

Many thanks,

 

KR

 

Let's say that 2005 was equal to a number of -5 and then 2006 was equal to a number of +1.5. What I'm wanting is the the formula to work out the % improvement. Which in this case looks about 300%?

 

Thanks,

 

KR