What is the approximate percentage decrease in the number of boys in College D…

Concept

When a quantity decreases from an old value to a new value, the percentage decrease is measured relative to the old value.

Percentage decrease = ((old value − new value) / old value) × 100.

Application

1. From the table, the number of boys in College D was 1,280 in 2020 and 1,060 in 2021.

2. Decrease = 1,280 − 1,060 = 220.

3. Percentage decrease = (220 / 1,280) × 100 = 17.1875%.

4. Rounding to the nearest offered percentage gives 17%.

Cross-check

17% of 1,280 is 217.6, and 1,280 − 217.6 = 1,062.4, which is very close to the observed 1,060 because the question asks for an approximate percentage.

Therefore, the approximate percentage decrease is 17%.