11+ Maths: Recognising Percentage Increase and Decrease
21 October 2026
Recognising percentage increase
Recognising and calculating percentage increase is a key skill in the 11+ maths curriculum. Children are often asked to spot when a value has gone up and to work out by what percentage.
Start by finding how much the value has increased. Subtract the original value from the new value.
Next, divide the increase by the original value. This gives the fraction of the original as an increase.
Finally, multiply by 100 to turn the fraction into a percentage.
Worked example
A jacket increases in price from £40 to £50.
Step 1: Find the increase. 50 - 40 = 10.
Step 2: Divide the increase by the original price. 10 ÷ 40 = 0.25.
Step 3: Multiply by 100 to get the percentage. 0.25 × 100 = 25.
The correct answer is 25 percent increase.
Recognising percentage decrease
Percentage decrease questions ask how much a value has gone down as a percentage of the original. The approach is similar to percentage increase, but you look for a fall in value.
Start by finding the decrease. Subtract the new value from the original value.
Then, divide the decrease by the original value.
Multiply by 100 to turn it into a percentage.
Worked example
A score drops from 80 to 60.
Step 1: Find the decrease. 80 - 60 = 20.
Step 2: Divide the decrease by the original score. 20 ÷ 80 = 0.25.
Step 3: Multiply by 100 to get the percentage. 0.25 × 100 = 25.
The correct answer is 25 percent decrease.
Summary
Spotting whether a value has increased or decreased, and working out the percentage change, is a vital skill for 11+ maths. Practising these steps helps children approach percentage questions with confidence.
Key insight: Understanding percentage increase and decrease helps children solve real-life and exam questions efficiently. Mastering this skill is essential for strong 11+ performance.
