How is the percent deviation of a value calculated?

To calculate the percent deviation of a value, you first need to determine the deviation, which is the difference between the value you have and a reference value (often the mean or expected value). After calculating the deviation, you divide it by the reference value and then multiply the result by 100 to convert it into a percentage.

The formula looks like this:

Percent Deviation = (|Value – Reference Value| / Reference Value) × 100%

Here’s a step-by-step explanation:

1. Identify your value and the reference value.
2. Calculate the absolute deviation: |Value – Reference Value|.
3. Divide the absolute deviation by the reference value.
4. Multiply the result by 100 to get the percent deviation.

For example, if your value is 85 and your reference value is 100, the deviation would be |85 – 100| = 15. Then, you divide 15 by 100 (the reference value), which gives you 0.15. Finally, multiplying by 100 results in a percent deviation of 15%.