# {Thinking}: Why equivalent percentage increase of A and decrease of B is not the same end result?

original post

the examples here are, the most important word -- fundamentally -- the same.

• example1: the most abstract way to present this example.

Why equivalent % increase of A in event1 and % decrease of B in event2 is not the same end result in these two cases/events? % is percent chance of curing cancer. that logically means A = [total cancer potency], and B = [whatever the trade is for increasing the chance of curing cancer] ..and the "naming" of A and B is defined by choice

• example2: concrete

1 cupcake = 1 karma

case/event 1

• 66% increase of 100 cupcakes = .66 * 100 cupcakes = 66 increase, so total 166 cupcakes
so the outcome is 166/100 = 1.66 cupcakes per karma

case/event 2

• 66% decrease of 100 karma = .66 * 100 karma = 66 decrease, so 34 total karma
so the outcome is 100/34 = 2.9 cupcakes per karma

so to me and everyone, 66% increase and 66% decrease seems like they would lead to the same end result/outcome, BUT as shown by math calculation, the resulting outcome of each event is not the same. you are actually getting more cupcakes if you decrease the karma than you would if you increase the amount of cupcakes, which doesnt make any sense at all. you think to yourself how could this have happen? how can this be? the world doesnt make any sense. see talk for more.

looking for a non-math-calculation explanation, (cogintive, neuroscientific, lingiustical, philosophical, whatever is useful, etc.) using plain english, not math language since i was never taught it properly or clearly

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a related question after thinking about the talk, with some deleted comments, below -- isnt it true that equal % increase of A is going to have the same end result as an equal % decrease in A if they have the same initial number?

• if true, ok, so this would support the thinking in the original post
• if false, i need to correct my assumptions, and yet, nobody has yet to explain clearly and helpfully why this is

i think this is true because they are equal % from the same initial number.

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umm.. if i use 50% to think about this, it really didnt help, 50% increase means you get 50% (half) more, 50% decrease means you get 50% (half) less –  kittensatplay Oct 1 '12 at 0:35
In the scenario when you go half up and then go half down, going half down takes you down by more than going half up takes you up. –  alex.jordan Oct 1 '12 at 0:38
"50%" is not a fixed amount, like 100 dollars. "50%" has to be 50% of something. When you go up 50%, and then down 50%, you are not taking 50% of the same thing each time, so you will not end up at the same place you started. –  Ted Oct 1 '12 at 0:41

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